Improvements to Mesoscale Tensions Test Using Laser Micromachining

Author(s):

Daniel J. Magagnosc

Abstract:

Use of small-scale tensile test methods is becoming prevalent in the evaluation of mechanical properties, particularly for high-throughput materials discovery. Due to the increased surface-to-volume ratio in miniaturized test specimens, sample preparation methods that produce high-quality surfaces are paramount. In this study, femtosecond laser micromachining is used to cut mesoscale tensile specimens from aluminum alloy 2024 sheets for direct comparison with conventional macroscale tests. Key bulk mechanical properties, including yield strength and ultimate tensile strength, are successfully reproduced in the mesoscale samples. The use of femtosecond laser micromachining provides high-throughput sample preparation and is the preferred fabrication method for future mesoscale testing efforts.