Micromechanics
Understanding material behaviour at the microscale is essential for designing alloys with superior bulk properties. The mechanical response of individual grains, phases and microstructural features determines the overall performance of engineering materials, yet the relationship between microscale deformation mechanisms and macroscopic behaviour remains challenging to quantify. Our research employs advanced micromechanical testing techniques and characterisation methods to directly probe deformation at the scale of individual microstructural constituents. This fundamental understanding enables the rational design of microstructures optimised for specific applications.
Grain maps at multiple applied loads, coloured by the vertical, σyy, stress in the sample reference frame (tensile direction). Published in: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-024-00466-8.