The rate dependence of several aluminum alloys (6061, 7075, 5083) was examined through the means of quasi-static tension tests, dynamic tension tests, and split pressure Hopkinson bar tests. The macroscopic strains of the quasi-static and dynamic tension tests were measured after failure within the uniform region and the necked region using high-resolution images and edge detection. The study continued with an exploration into the plane-stress ductile fracture of Al 6061 in the T6 and O condition. Digital image correlation (DIC) was used to find the displacement and strain fields, and a numerical method for calculating the stress fields for a power law hardening material was developed. The J-integral was then calculated locally. The effect of strain hardening on the type of fracture (slant or flat) was also investigated. Macroscopic and microscopic observations of the fracture were made with DIC and by dissecting, polishing and/or etching the broken fracture specimens. Local failure strain measurements were made on the grain level and compared with those found through traditional failure strain measurements. / text