The Influence of Particulate Spatial Distribution on Damage Accumulation in Metals and Ceramics

A brief critical overview is presented of the influence which inhomogeneous particle distributions have on the processes of damage accumulation and fracture. Particle clustering leads to interactions during both elastic and plastic deformation and can profoundly affect the ductility and/or strength of a material. While in most cases these effects are deleterious, under certain circumstances microstructural heterogeneity can actually enhance mechanical properties.