3D fracture behaviors of epoxy-alumina composites: Quantitative analysis of micro-CT images through digital volume correlation and LEFM

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of the fracture behaviors of particle-reinforced epoxy-alumina composite in three dimensions (3D). Three-point bending of single-edge notched bend specimens were performed coupling with micro X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT). The 3D full-field strain and displacement inside the specimens was computed through digital volume correlation. Linear elastic fracture mechanics theory was applied to analyze the strain field and displacement filed, respectively, to estimate the crack tip position in 3D. The crack resistance curves (R-curves) were then calculated. The effects of voxel size of the micro-CT images were studied. The implications on the accessibility of the device and the feasibility of the method were discussed.