Effects of voids and flaws on the mechanical properties and on intergranular damage and fracture for polycrystalline materials

It is widely recognized that the macroscopic material properties depend on the features of the microstructure. The understanding of the links between microscopic and macroscopic material properties, main topic of Micromechanics, is of relevant technological interest, as it may enable the deep understanding of the mechanisms governing materials degradation and failure. Polycrystalline materials are used in many engineering applications. Their microstructure is determined by distribution, size, morphology, anisotropy and orientation of the crystals. It worth noting that also the physical-chemical properties of the intergranular interfaces, as well as the presence of micro-imperfections within the microstructure, have to be taken into account, as they may have to a strong influence on onset and evolution of damage.