Damage investigation in A319 aluminum alloy by digital image correlation during in-situ tensile tests

Abstract

The aim of this work is to analyse the strain fields heterogeneity in a Die Casting A319 aluminium alloy during tensile loading. The microstructure characterization of the studied alloy was performed in 2D and 3D, the microstructure consists of hard inclusions (i.e. eutectic Si and Al2Cu phases) and micropores. In order to study the role of the different hard particles on the propagation of cracks, an experimental protocol was set up and surface damage observations are performed in real-time with an in situ microscopic device during tensile test which allows following the development and localization of the deformation and cracks. The results showed the role of eutectic Si and Al2Cu phases in the crack propagation by DIC measurement and fractography. Cracks often propagate through the fracture of Al2Cu, as well as through fragmented Si particles rather than by their decohesion from the matrix.