Synchrotron X-ray tomographic quantification of deformation induced strain localisation in semi-solid Al- 15wt.%Cu

Uniaxial compression and indentation of a semi-solid Al-15wt.%Cu alloy was investigated by high speed synchrotron X-ray microtomography, quantifying the microstructural response of a solidifying alloy to applied strain. Tomograms were continuously acquired whilst performing deformation using a precision thermal-mechanical rig on a synchrotron beamline. The results illustrate how defects and shear bands can form in response to different loading conditions. Using digital volume correlation, the global and localised strains were measured, providing quantitative datasets for granular flow models of semi-solid deformation.