In situ measurement of the strains within a mechanically loaded polygranular graphite

TJ Marrow, D Liu, SM Barhli, LS Mora, Y Vertyagina, DM Collins, C Reinhard, Saurabh Kabra, PEJ Flewitt, DJ Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Neutron diffraction and synchrotron X-ray diffraction and imaging have been applied to study, in situ, the mechanical response to tensile and bending loading of polygranular Gilsocarbon nuclear grade near-isotropic graphite (grade IM1-24). Digital image correlation of X-ray radiographs and digital volume correlation of tomographs allow measurement of bulk elastic moduli and examination of the heterogeneity of deformation in the microstructure. Both the neutron and X-ray studies show the application of tensile strain reduces the bulk elastic modulus. A permanent set is observed to develop with applied tensile strain. The elastic strains within the graphite crystals were measured by diffraction; a cross-correlation analysis method has been applied for greater speed, robustness and improved precision in the measurement of the change in basal plane separation distance. In compression, a linear relation is observed between the elastic strains in the graphite crystals and the applied strain. In tension, this relationship is non-linear. The results are discussed with respect to the distribution of elastic and inelastic strain within the graphite microstructure. It is deduced that the significant residual elastic strains in the as-manufactured graphite are relaxed by microcracking as tensile strain is applied.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)285-302
Number of pages18
JournalCarbon
Volume96
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2016
Externally publishedYes

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