Duplex stainless steels possess a microstructure formed by two main phases: ferrite and austenite. They are used in a wide range of applications due to their advantageous properties.
High temperatures during the manufacturing processes can modify the balance of alloying elements and can lead to a drastic deterioration in toughness, corrosion resistance, and weldability of duplex stainless steels. Thus, detailed microstructure analysis of duplex steels is essential.
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Published with courtesy: Marina Knyazeva, TU Dortmund, Germany
In this case, the AFM-in-SEM approach was further extended by adding a nanoindenter to the LiteScope scan head. Nanoindentation represents an extremely versatile technique to determine material mechanical properties at the nanoscale such as elastic modulus, hardness values, fracture toughness, or creep and yield stress. This hybrid technique enabled sample phase identification, precise indentation targeting, and topographical analysis – all in one measurement.
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Published with courtesy: C. Julia-Schmutz, CSEM SA Neuchâtel, Switzerland
The fatigue crack propagation behavior of chromium steel was studied using the AFM-in-SEM technique in combination with a focused ion beam (FIB). The crack was initiated using the FIB on the steel sample mounted in a tensile/compression module and the propagation of the crack was simultaneously analyzed by both the AFM and SEM.
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Published with courtesy: Ing. Ivo Kuběna, Ph.D.
Tungsten alloys represent promising candidates to replace tungsten in the first wall applications in future fusion facilities. Since tungsten is susceptible to oxidation at elevated temperatures, various oxide-forming elements (chromium, titanium, silicon) are being added to tungsten to induce self-passivation.
Herein, W-10Cr-1Hf alloy with hafnium oxide particle dispersion was prepared by spark plasma sintering, wherein unique features of the microstructure were discovered by the AFM-in-SEM approach.
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Published with courtesy: Monika Vilemova, Institute of Plasma Physics AS CR, Czechia