X-ray micro-tomographic observations of hot tear damage in an Al–Mg commercial alloy

X-ray micro-tomography and three-dimensional image analysis were used to characterize hot tearing. The formation and interconnectivity of deformation induced damage during hot tearing was quantified in specimens of DC cast aluminum alloy AA5182 (of composition Al–4.63%Mg–0.49%Mn–0.17%Fe–0.04%Cu) subjected to tensile load at a temperature of 528°C (fraction solid ∼0.98) over a range of strains varying from 0 to 0.20 (failure). This technique also allowed for quantification of the porosity formed during DC casting.