TY - EJOU AU - Smith, G.E. AU - Crocker, A.G. AU - Flewitt, P.E.J. AU - Mahalingam, S TI - Creating Three-Dimensional Models to Investigate Brittle Fracture in Polycrystalline Metals T2 - Computers, Materials \& Continua PY - 2012 VL - 31 IS - 1 SN - 1546-2226 AB - Three-dimensional models with irregular grain geometries and appropriate physical properties are needed to investigate fracture in polycrystalline metals and alloys. Creating such models is challenging but achievable using a two-stage process, suitable for any polycrystal. The processes described in this paper are illustrated by examples of brittle fracture in ferritic steel, zinc and nickel. The predicted crack path in a model is compared with the grain boundary fracture seen in three point bend specimens of nickel embrittled by sulphur. KW - 3D models KW - polycrystalline metals KW - brittle fracture DO - 10.3970/cmc.2012.031.017