Quantitative image analysis of WE43-T6 cracking behavior

• Main Authors: Ahmad A., Yahya Z.
• Other Authors: 57214160450
• Format: Conference paper
• Published: Institute of Physics Publishing 2023
• Subjects: Grain boundaries; Image analysis; Electron back scatter diffraction; Environment-assisted cracking; In-situ observations; Inter-metallic particle; Metallographic images; Peak aged conditions; Quantitative image analysis; Quantitative measurement; ambient air; crack propagation; cracking; fatigue; grain boundary; image analysis; magnesium; quantitative analysis; Cracks

Environment-assisted cracking of WE43 cast magnesium (4.2 wt.% Yt, 2.3 wt.% Nd, 0.7% Zr, 0.8% HRE) in the T6 peak-aged condition was induced in ambient air in notched specimens. The mechanism of fracture was studied using electron backscatter diffraction, serial sectioning and in situ observations of crack propagation. The intermetallic (rare earthed-enriched divorced intermetallic retained at grain boundaries and predominantly at triple points) material was found to play a significant role in initiating cracks which leads to failure of this material. Quantitative measurements were required for this project. The populations of the intermetallic and clusters of intermetallic particles were analyzed using image analysis of metallographic images. This is part of the work to generate a theoretical model of the effect of notch geometry on the static fatigue strength of this material. � Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.