The role of inclusions in ductile fracture and fracture toughness

Electron microscopical examination of fracture surfaces and micro-structures of thirteen different aluminium alloys revealed that ductile rupture is initiated at small inclusions. The average dimple spacing is equal to the average inclusion distance. Void initiation is probably the critical event in ductile fracture; it is immediately followed by spontaneous growth and coalescence of the voids. A dislocation model is developed compatible with...