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Damage in heterogeneous model materials was measured using high-resolution X-ray absorption tomography. The material consisted of an aluminium matrix containing 1% and 4% of spherical ceramic particles acting as nucleation sites for an interface decohesion mechanism of damage. The damage initiation stage was quantified using the global population of particles in the 4% material. A strain path change experiment was then applied to the 1% material. The sample was first deformed in tension in order to create elongated cavities and then compressed at 45^∘ to rotate and close these cavities. The results of a model based on the Rice and Tracey approach accounting for the presence of particles inside the cavities and calculating their rotation with assuming a linear hardening plastic behaviour of the matrix were compared with the observations. The model was modified to account for the damage initiation …