The 3D microstructure around a tin whisker, and its evolution during heat treatment were studied using scanning 3DXRD. The shape of each grain in the sample was reconstructed using a filtered-back-projection algorithm. The local lattice parameters and grain orientations could then be refined, using forward modelling of the diffraction data, with a spatial resolution of 250 nm. It was found that the tin coating had a texture where grains were oriented such that their c-axes were predominantly parallel to the sample surface. Grains with other orientations were consumed by grain growth during the heat treatment. Most of the grain boundaries were found to have misorientations larger than 15∘, and many coincidence site lattice (CSL) or other types of low-energy grain boundaries were identified. None of the grains with CSL grain boundaries were consumed by grain growth. During the heat treatment, growth of preexisting Cu6Sn5 occurred; these grains were indexed as a hexagonal η phase, which is usually documented to be stable only at temperatures exceeding 186 ∘normalC. This indicates that the η phase can exist in a metastable state for long periods. The tin coating was found to be under compressive hydrostatic stress, with a negative gradient in hydrostatic stress extending outwards from the root of the whisker. Negative stress gradients are generally believed to play an essential role in providing the driving force for diffusion of material to the whisker root.

To understand the pathophysiology of bone, it is important to improve our knowledge about the deformation and fracture mechanisms in bone. In this study, we combine several recently available experimental techniques with mechanical loading to investigate the deformation mechanisms in compact bone tissue on several length scales simultaneously. The experimental setup included mechanical tensile testing in combination with digital image correlation, microCT imaging, and small/wide angle X-ray scattering. The combination of techniques enabled measurements of local deformations at the tissue- and nanoscales. The study clearly shows the potential of combining different experimental techniques concurrently with mechanical testing to gain a better understanding of structure-property-function relationships in bone tissue.

Background Experimental analyses of the 3D strain field evolution during loading allows for better understanding of deformation and failure mechanisms at the meso- and microscale in different materials. In order to understand the auxetic behaviour and delamination process in paperboard materials during tensile deformation, it is essential to study the out-of-plane component of the strain tensor that is, in contrast to previous 2D studies, only achievable in 3D. Objective The main objective of this study is to obtain a better understanding of the influence of different out-of-plane structures and in-plane material directions on the deformation and failure mechanisms at the meso- and microscale in paperboard samples. Methods X-ray tomography imaging during in-situ uniaxial tensile testing and Digital Volume Correlation analysis was performed to investigate the 3D strain field evolution and microscale mechanical behaviour in two different types of commercial paperboards and in two material directions. The evolution of sample properties such as the spatial variation in sample thickness, solid fraction and fibre orientation distribution were also obtained from the images. A comprehensive analysis of the full strain tensor in paperboards is lacking in previous research, and the influence of material directions and out-of-plane structures on 3D strain field patterns as well as the spatial and temporal quantification of the auxetic behaviour in paperboard are novel contributions. Results The results show that volumetric and deviatoric strain, dominated by the out-of-plane normal strain component of the strain tensor, localize in the out-of-plane centre already in the initial linear stress-strain regime. In-plane strain field patterns differ between samples loaded in the Machine Direction (MD) and Cross Direction (CD); in MD, strain localizes in a more well-defined zone close to the notches and the failure occurs abruptly at peak load, resulting in angular fracture paths extending through the stiffer surface planes of the samples. In CD, strain localizes in more horizontal and continuous bands between the notches and at peak load, fractures are not clearly visible at the surfaces of CD-tested samples that appear to fail internally through more well-distributed delamination. Conclusions In-plane strain localization preceded a local increase of sample thickness, i.e. the initiation of the delamination process, and at peak load, a dramatic increase in average sample thickening occurred. Different in-plane material directions affected the angles and continuity of the in-plane strain patterns as well as the sample and fracture properties at failure, while the out-of-plane structure affected how the strain fields distributed within the samples.

No abstract

A study on the fracture characteristics of unmodified and chemically modified Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is presented. The investigated material consisted of small-dimension sawn timber originating from young logs (thinnings), aged 30–40 years. The modified samples were acetylated with acetic anhydride in an industrial scale process without the use of any catalyst, reaching an acetyl content of approximately 20%. Clear wood specimens, consisting of either heartwood or sapwood, were extracted and conditioned to equilibrium at a relative humidity of 60% and a temperature of 20 °C. The fracture energy for mode I loading in tension perpendicular to the grain was determined using single edge notched beam (SENB) specimens, subjected to three-point bending. Additionally, the modulus of elasticity along the grain and the tensile strength perpendicular to the grain were determined for sapwood specimens. The findings demonstrated a significant decrease (between 36 and 50%) in the fracture energy for the acetylated specimens, compared to the unmodified specimens. No significant effect of the acetylation process on the modulus of elasticity, nor on the tensile strength could be concluded. This study indicates that the acetylation process used results in an increased brittleness for Scots pine. Further studies are needed to analyse why the fracture energy is impaired, and to examine whether and how current timber engineering design provisions can or should be revised to account for the increased brittleness of acetylated Scots pine.