Fractal dimension as a characteristic of deformation stages of austenite stainless steel under tensile load

A technique for defining the fractal dimension of the deformed specimen is considered by using surface relief images obtained from a scanning electron microscope. By subjecting the austenitic stainless steel specimen to a ste p-wise increase in load, the fractal dimension is observed. Surface mesostr ucture could be characterized by discrete fractal dimension. The spectrum o f the fractal data agrees with the self-affinity function calculated from t he universal material constant. A correlation is established between the st ep-wise increase in the fractal dimension and the specific energies dissipa ted in the deformed specimen. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res erved.