Article: A 3D image analysis of intermetallic inclusions Journal: International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties (IJMMP) 2009 Vol.4 No.2 pp.217 - 230 Abstract: The problem of 3D shape characterisation has been intensively studied lately, because computing power is greatly increasing and image acquisition is more efficient, with new real 3D image acquisition methods like microtomography. The material studied in this work is a 5xxx aluminium alloy. It contains intermetallic particles which control both formability and surface aspect. During the industrial process used to transform slabs into plates, particles are broken and redistributed in the sheet space. In this paper, the shape of the intermetallic particles originating from the solidification process of aluminium alloys is studied. These particles are observed as being very complex. Modelling their shape requires a single approach based on 3D morphological analysis. A description of the shape of each intermetallic particle is given, using parameters and distribution measures. This paper also presents an original way to study the evolution of particles at different stages of deformation of the material and the evolution of its orientations. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: A 3D image analysis of intermetallic inclusions

Authors: Estelle Parra-Denis, Christophe Ducottet, Dominique Jeulin

Addresses: Centre de Morphologie Mathematique, Mines ParisTech, 35 rue Saint-Honore, 77300 Fontainebleau, France. ' Universite de Lyon, F-42023, Saint-Etienne, France; Laboratoire Hubert Curien, CNRS UMR5516, F-42000, Saint-Etienne, France; Universite de Saint-Etienne, Jean Monnet, F-42000, Saint-Etienne, France. ' Centre de Morphologie Mathematique, Mines ParisTech, 35 rue Saint-Honore, 77300 Fontainebleau, France

Abstract: The problem of 3D shape characterisation has been intensively studied lately, because computing power is greatly increasing and image acquisition is more efficient, with new real 3D image acquisition methods like microtomography. The material studied in this work is a 5xxx aluminium alloy. It contains intermetallic particles which control both formability and surface aspect. During the industrial process used to transform slabs into plates, particles are broken and redistributed in the sheet space. In this paper, the shape of the intermetallic particles originating from the solidification process of aluminium alloys is studied. These particles are observed as being very complex. Modelling their shape requires a single approach based on 3D morphological analysis. A description of the shape of each intermetallic particle is given, using parameters and distribution measures. This paper also presents an original way to study the evolution of particles at different stages of deformation of the material and the evolution of its orientations.

Keywords: X-ray microtomography; 3D complex shape; segmentation; morphological analysis; 3D shape characterisation; intermetallic inclusions; aluminium alloys; deformation; solidification; modelling; intermetallic particles.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2009.028635

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2009 Vol.4 No.2, pp.217 - 230

Published online: 21 Sep 2009 *

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Title: A 3D image analysis of intermetallic inclusions

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