PERIMETER AREA ANALYSIS, THE SLIT-ISLAND METHOD AND THE FRACTAL CHARACTERIZATION OF METALLIC FRACTURE SURFACES

Two recent papers have raised serious questions regarding the fractal characterization of metallic fracture surfaces. The results of perimeter-area analysis and the slit-island method (SIM), in particular, are cast into doubt. In this paper perimeter-area and perimeter-yardstick analysis of rectifiable curves and of mathematically constructed, simple fractal curves are presented, in order to confront some of the questions raised. The results also serve to clarify various features of experimental fractal surface analysis. Although the present analysis cannot unambiguously resolve all the questions raised, strong support for the original fractal picture is presented and techniques for improving the SIM are suggested.