Hi!
I am investigating the effect of triaxial stress state on the superelastic behavior in NiTi. In this regard I have conducted some simple tensile tests on notched specimen until fracture. The next step is to investigate the fracture surfaces in SEM to determine point of initiation and the structures. However, as my knowledge in fractography is limited at best, I am not really sure what to look for to determine eg. fracture initiation.
Can anyone say wether there exists a reliable way to determine fracture initiation points by SEM, or if there are some good papers that cover this issue that I should know about?
Regards
Jim S. Olsen
Most of time the site of initiation can be easily located
See paper below.
http://www.nitinol.com/media/reference-library/001.pdf
Xiao-Yan Gong, PhD President Medical Implant Mechanics LLC 26895 Aliso Creek Road, Suite #B716 Aliso Viejo, CA 92656