Measurement of Interface Damage Heterogeneity

Both stereological and direct experimental procedures of estimating the distribution of interfacenormal orientations in a polycrystalline material are discussed in connection with the problem ofintergranular damage heterogeneity. Two stereological procedures of obtaining the interface normalorientation distribution are compared. The mathematical analysis required in obtaining thisdistribution from stereological measures is briefly described. It is shown that the stereologyincorporating the line length per unit area of interfaces, as seen on a test section, is superior to thatwhich counts intersections per unit length of scan line. A discussion of the advantages and limitationsof these techniques is included.