Examination of fracture surfaces using focused ion beam milling
Composite materials consisting of an iron aluminide matrix with composition approximately Fe-40at%Al, reinforced with a volume fraction of 40--70% ceramic particles (TiC, WC, TiB{sub 2} or ZrB{sub 2}), are currently being developed. Focused ion beam milling is a relatively new tool to materials science. It uses a high resolution (<5nm), energetic beam of gallium ions to selectively sputter regions of a material, whilst also functioning as a scanning ion microscope. The milling accuracy is of the order of the beam size allowing very precise sectioning to be carried out. The focused ion beam can be used to prepare highly localized cross sections which reveal the internal sub-structure of materials, avoiding detrimental processes such as deformation, or closing of existing cracks by mechanical abrasion. An area is milled from the sample such that, upon tilting, the internal structure can be imaged. The focused ion beam therefore offers a unique opportunity to examine cross-sections of the fracture surfaces in FeAl-based composites. In the present study, the focused ion beam was used to obtain cross-sections of fracture surfaces in two composite materials, in order to examine the extent of interfacial debonding and matrix deformation, thus providing more information about the mode of fracture. These cross-sections were prepared at regions where significant debonding was observed.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of New South Wales, Sydney (AU)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy
- OSTI ID:
- 20023086
- Journal Information:
- Scripta Materialia, Journal Name: Scripta Materialia Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 42; ISSN 1359-6462; ISSN SCMAF7
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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