Abstract
Deformation anisotropy of sheet aluminium alloy 2198 (Al-Cu-Li) has been investigated by means of mechanical testing of notched specimens and Kahn-type fracture specimens, loaded in the rolling direction (L) or in the transverse direction (T). Contributions to failure are identified as growth of initial voids accompanied by a significant nucleation of a second population of cavities and transgranular failure. A model based on the Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman (GTN) approach of porous metal plasticity incorporating isotropic voids, direction-dependent void growth, void nucleation at a second population of inclusions and triaxiality-dependent void coalescence has been used to predict the mechanical response of test samples. The model has been successfully used to describe and predict the direction-dependent deformation behaviour, crack propagation and, in particular, toughness anisotropy.