A new numerical modelling method for deformation behaviour of metallic porous materials using X-ray computed microtomography

Microtomographic devices have limited imaging accuracy and are often insufficient for proper mapping of small details of real objects (e.g. elements of material mesostructures). This paper describes a new method developed to compensate the effect of X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT) inaccuracy in numerical modelling of the deformation process of porous sintered 316 L steel. The method involves modification of microtomographic images where the pore shapes are separated. The modification consists of the reconstruction of fissures and small pores omitted by micro-CT scanning due to the limited accuracy of the measuring device. It enables proper modelling of the tensile deformation process of porous materials. In addition, the proposed approach is compared to methods described in the available literature. As a result of numerical calculations, stress and strain distributions were obtained in deformed sintered 316 L steel. Based on the results, macroscopic stress-strain curves were received. Maximum principal stress distributions obtained by the proposed calculation model, indicated specific locations, where the stress reached a critical value, and fracture initiation occurred. These are bridges with small cross sections and notches in the shape of pores. Based on calculation results, the influence of the deformation mechanism of the material porous mesostructures on their properties at the macroscale is described.