Experimental and numerical characterisation of in-plane deformation in two-phase materials

The aim of the present work consists in the comparison of in-plane strain f ields with out-of-plane displacements in micro-areas of an Ag/Ni-composite after a macroscopic compressive deformation of 8.6%. The in-plane deformati ons in an Ag/Ni-composite have been analysed experimentally with a high res olution object grating technique and numerically using the finite element m ethod. The out-of-plane displacements were measured with an atomic force mi croscope (AFM). The development of local strain fields in micro-areas at th e surface of an Ag/Ni-composite was simulated numerically using the FE-meth od in plane strain condition. A real cut-out of the microstructure served a s input for the calculation. The out-of-plane displacements determined by A FM measurements were used further to correct the in-plane values of strains evaluated by the object grating technique. The roughness on the surface of the sample was characterised by fractal dimensions and compared with the i n-plane strains in the same micro-region. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. Al l rights reserved.