In-situ stress and strain measurements around cracks using synchrotron X-ray diffraction

High-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction offers the unique combination of high spatial resolution and bulk material penetration power, which is well suited for the investigation of strain fields around cracks in engineering materials. The speed of data acquisition also lends itself to the observation of in-situ processes, such as crack propagation. This potential has been only partially explored over the last decade, and this paper reviews some basic advances with a view to future developments