Three-dimensional visualization and analysis of grain deformation by means of synchrotron radiation

The new method to investigate and visualize a strain distribution at individual grains in three-dimensional has been developed based on synchrotron radiation X-ray tomography. The tensile specimen made of a heat-treated 2024 aluminum alloy to coarse precipitate particles has repeatedly scanned by the high-resolution X-ray tomography with applying a loading just before fracture would occur. Grain boundaries in the specimen were visualized by the tomographic scan after gallium application in order to detect grain regions in three-dimensional. Total 17 grains were found by 2D and 3D image processing and were provided with strain analysis by means of the microstructural features tracking. The actual strain development on a grain was visually demonstrated during tensile deformation. The strain map on a cross section of the grain shows inhomogeneous distribution. In the vicinity of grain boundary, the partly large strain is observed. The strain distribution within a grain seems to be affected by neighbor grains. The different evolution of strain distribution was also confirmed in the two grains while the grains were deformed almost equivalently on an average. The difference of deformation microstructure depending on grain orientation is suggested.