MULTIFRACTALS IN EVALUATING THE DISSIPATIVE PROPERTIES OF METALS

New quantitative characteristics of the homogeneity and order of failu re surfaces in solids are introduced on the basis of the multifractal formalism - specifically, a new informational interpretation of this f ormalism, Computer algorithms are proposed for estimating the multifra ctal characteristics of disordered structures in various materials. On the basis of such calculations, additional information on self-organi zation may be obtained even for failure processes that are not directl y observable. As an illustration, the structure of failure surfaces in molybdenum wire with a rhenium coating and fractures of macrosamples of martensitically aging steel are analyzed.