Fractal Analysis of Microstructural and Fractograpghic Images for Evaluation of Materials

Abstract

Materials have hierarchically organized complex structures at different length scales. Quantitative description of material behaviour is dependent on four fundamental length scales [1], which are of concern to materials scientists. These are (1) nano scale, 1-103 nm, (2)micro scale, 1-10 3 μm, (3) macro scale, 1-103mm, and (4) global size scale, 1-106 m. While the nano scale corresponds to, often, highly ordered atomic structures, the global size scale relates geophysical phenomena and large man made engineering structures. Micro scale and macro scale correspond to size of material samples used in laboratories, for designing and for fabrication of miniature to small machineries.