| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
TMS Specialty Congress 2025
|
| Symposium
|
The 7th International Congress on 3D Materials Science (3DMS 2025)
|
| Presentation Title |
Influence of 3D Crack Networks for High Toughness Responses in Tantalum Carbides |
| Author(s) |
Alyssa Stubbers, Gregory Thompson, Chris Weinberger, Sierra Durkee, Evan Schwind, Mireya Garcia, Olivia Graeve, Edgar Solano, Alejandro Ramirez |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Alyssa Stubbers |
| Abstract Scope |
The zeta-phase, ζ-Ta4C3, is reported to have a fracture toughness above 15 MPa·m1/2, which is a factor of two to three times larger than most other ceramic materials. This fracture strength is derived from the interlocking lath structure of zeta phase precipitation in a tantalum carbide matrix. These laths provide anisotropic mitigation of crack propagation as well as a buckling response. Furthermore, a local metal-metal bond in the zeta-phase’s unit cell facilitates plasticity through dislocation nucleation. The presented work addresses the 3-dimensionality of the crack pathways. Here, the carbide was subjected to microindents from which plasma-focus ion beam based serial sectioning and subsequent reconstruction renderings were undertaken to reveal the cracking network. From acquired images, three distinct crack types are cataloged: linear, bifurcating, and kinking. Finally, as serial sectioning can be a time-consuming characterization method, we have also implanted an image-based machine learning method to identify cracking features and directions between slices thereby reducing either the number of slices needed and/or the resolution required between slices. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |