J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2024, Vol. 175: 80-103.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2023.07.041

• Review article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Time lapse in situ X-ray imaging of failure in structural materials under cyclic loads and extreme environments

Weijian Qiana, Shengchuan Wua,*, Liming Leib, Qiaodan Huc, Changkui Liud   

  1. aState Key Laboratory of Rail Transit Vehicle System, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China;
    bTaihang Laboratory, Chengdu 610213, China;
    cSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China;
    dAECC Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials, Beijing 100095, China
  • Received:2023-04-22 Revised:2023-06-14 Accepted:2023-07-03 Published:2024-03-10 Online:2023-09-03
  • Contact: *E-mail address: wusc@swjtu.edu.cn (S. Wu)

Abstract: Damage evolution characterization and performance evaluation under realistic conditions are essential to ensure reliable operation of critical safety components. However, previous studies focus on the surface detection because of very limited penetration capacity of nondestructive testing facilities. Here, we review the recent progress of material damage mechanism by various in situ testing rigs that are compatible with laboratory and synchrotron radiation X-ray facilities. Then, taking metallic alloys and composites as model materials, we demonstrate the unique advantages of in situ X-ray three-dimensional tomography in unveiling complex failure mechanisms, quantifying crack growth driving forces and crack closure phenomena, and elucidating the strengthening/degrading effects from microstructure and environment on structural material degradation. Finally, we also discuss the ongoing direction of in situ multi-scale visualization and characterization with the development of advanced high-energy X-ray facilities, the improvement of in situ devices and sample environments, the demand of high-throughput tests, and the processing and application of massive test data.

Key words: In situ experiments, Fatigue damage mechanism, Correlative characterization, X-ray computed tomography, Lightweight structural materials