An innovative concept and novel microstructure-related parameter—material structure weakness

Proposed and defined is an innovative concept and novel microstructure-related parameter—material structure weakness (MSW). Both physical and geometric definitions for the MSW are given in detail, which allow the defined parameter, MSW, to incorporate geometry and crystallographic orientation of material constituents. It is demonstrated that the fundamental and substantial property (FSP) of MSWs is an exclusive characteristic for a given microstructure and has nothing to do with external conditions. It is also illustrated that MSW is a ‘microstructure-property-failure parameter’, which may be adopted to characterize a heterogeneous microstructure adequately. This parameter can be used to reveal coherent interrelations between material properties and a described microstructure, or to predict a virtual process of microcracking-induced microstructure failure. The proposed concept alongside its parameter allows not only possibility to establish a novel procedure for property-oriented design of microstructure (PODOM) but also feasibility to forecast virtual failure of a microstructure. Thus, it may facilitate the design and the making of new advanced materials.