In nature, variability in the short crack growth rate is observed in polycrystalline materials, in which the evolution and distribution of the local plasticity is strongly influenced by microstructural features. The goal of this research is to identify the microstructurally-short crack growth driving force of polycrystalline engineering alloys, in order to assess the performance of materials subject to fatigue load and to improve both material design and component life prediction.
Collaborators: Ricardo Lebensohn (Los Alamos National Lab)
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