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This paper experimentally investigates the growth and coalescence of preexisting
voids in a ductile matrix and presents quantitative kinetics data for these
processes.
Leaded copper alloys have been selected as model materials, in which lead
inclusions act as pre-existing voids – as demonstrated by unit cell numerical
simulations for a wide range of stress states – and the varying alloy content of the
ductile matrix results in different deformation and failure behaviors of the
intervoid ligaments. The model materials are deformed and fractured in
combined torsion / tension / compression tests and notched tensile tests to subject
them to the desired wide range of stress triaxialities. Quantitative fractography
and metallography provide the desired void kinetics data that can be correlated
with numerical simulations and existing void growth and coalescence models.