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In-Situ Mechanical Testing for Characterizing Strain Localization During Deformation at Elevated Temperatures

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Abstract

An experimental methodology has been developed to characterize local strain heterogeneities in alloys via in-situ scanning electron microscope (SEM) based mechanical testing. Quantitative measurements of local strains as a function of grain orientation, morphology and neighborhood are crucial for mechanistic understanding and validation of crystal plasticity models. This study focuses on the technical challenges associated with performing creep tests at elevated temperatures ≤700°C in an SEM. Samples of nickel-based superalloy Rene 104 were used for this study, but the technique is applicable to testing of any metal samples at elevated temperature. Electron beam lithography was employed to produce a suitable surface speckle pattern of hafnium oxide to facilitate full field displacement measurements using a commercial software package. The speckle pattern proved to have good thermal stability and provided excellent contrast for image acquisition using secondary electron imaging at elevated temperature. The speckle pattern and microscope magnification were optimized to obtain the resolution necessary to discern strain localizations within grain interiors and along grain boundaries. Minimum strain resolution due to SEM image distortions was determined prior to tensile testing, and image integration methods were utilized to minimize imaging artifacts. Limitations due to the present specimen heating method and potential solutions to these limitations are also addressed.

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Acknowledgements

This work is funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) STW-21 program FA9550-09-1-0014. The support received from the Materials & Manufacturing Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory has been instrumental for the development of the in-situ tensile frame. The authors would like to thank Aimee Price of the Ohio State University Institute for Materials Research and OSU Nanotech West Laboratory for her invaluable assistance with development on the lithography techniques for the speckle patterning.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Ohio State University, 477 Watts Hall, 2041 College Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    J. L. Walley & M. J. Mills

  2. UES, Inc., 4401 North Dayton-Xenia Rd., Dayton, OH, 45432, USA

    R. Wheeler

  3. Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials & Manufacturing Directorate, AFRL/RXLM, Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH, 45433, USA

    M. D. Uchic

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  1. J. L. Walley
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  2. R. Wheeler
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  3. M. D. Uchic
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  4. M. J. Mills
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Correspondence to J. L. Walley.

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Walley, J.L., Wheeler, R., Uchic, M.D. et al. In-Situ Mechanical Testing for Characterizing Strain Localization During Deformation at Elevated Temperatures. Exp Mech 52, 405–416 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11340-011-9499-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11340-011-9499-7

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