Richert, ClaudiaClaudiaRichertHuber, NorbertNorbertHuber2018-08-142018-08-142018-04-19Metals 4 (8): 282- (2018)http://tubdok.tub.tuhh.de/handle/11420/1732Various modeling approaches simplify and parametrize the complex network structure of nanoporous gold (NPG) for studying the structure–property relationship based on artificially generated structures. This paper presents a computational efficient and versatile finite element method (FEM) beam model that is based on skeletonization and diameter information derived from the original 3D focused ion beam-scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) tomography data of NPG. The geometrical skeleton network is thoroughly examined for a better understanding of the NPG structure. A skeleton FEM beam model is derived that can predict the macroscopic mechanical behavior of the material. Comparisons between the mechanical response of this skeleton beam model and a solid FEM model are conducted. Results showed that the biggest-sphere diameter algorithm implemented in the open-source software FIJI, commonly used for geometrical analysis of microstructural data, overestimates the diameter of the curved NPG ligaments. The larger diameters lead to a significant overestimation of macroscopic stiffness and strength by the skeleton FEM beam model. For a parabolic shaped ligament with only 20% variation in its diameter, a factor of more than two was found in stiffness. It is concluded that improved algorithms for image processing are needed that provide accurate diameter information along the ligament axis.en2075-470120184Art.-Nr. 282-1Art.-Nr. 282-20MDPIhttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/nano-porous metalmechanical behavior3D structural modelingskeletonization3D FIB-SEM tomographyIngenieurwissenschaftenJournal Articleurn:nbn:de:gbv:830-8822221410.15480/882.172911420/173210.3390/met804028210.15480/882.1729Other