Femtosecond laser-based fabrication of a new model material to study fracture

The ductile fracture process consists of the nucleation, growth and coalescence of voids in a material. Predictive models of ductility require a complete understanding of the coalescence event. However, coalescence occurs over very small strains and is therefore difficult to observe experimentally. We have addressed this by developing a new class of model material. It consists of femtosecond laser drilled holes and diffusion bonded metallic …