3D/4D X-Ray microtomography: Probing the mechanical behavior of materials

A fundamental principle in materials science and engineering is that the microstructure controls material properties. The use of three-dimensional techniques has gained popularity in establishing structure-property relationships in a variety of material systems. In particular, X-ray microtomography is being widely used as it requires minimal sample preparation and is nondestructive in nature. Moreover, being a nondestructive technique, it is very well suited to perform 4D studies (the fourth dimension being time) where the evolution of microstructure can be captured over time. This chapter describes the fundamentals of X-ray microtomography followed by applications of the use of X-ray microtomography to understand the mechanical properties of materials under a variety of loading conditions, such as tensile loading, fatigue loading, corrosion fatigue, and stress corrosion cracking.