This article reviews the analytical techniques used for phase identification in components, including x-ray diffraction, metallography/microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, trasmission electron microscopy,and atom probe tomography. The article addresses the advantages and disadvantages of each technique compared to the other approaches.

In steel production, an automated particle workflow can increase the efficiency and statistical relevance of nanosized precipitate analyses, resulting in increased productivity and accuracy.

Using advanced characterization techniques on surface hardened steels builds a richer understanding of the underlying metallurgical phenomena.

This article series explores the indispensable role of characterization in the development of cold spray coatings. Transmission electron microscopy is used to understand powder characteristics, cold spray coating deformation behavior both within splats as well as near the coating-substrate interface, phase transformations in the as-sprayed and heat treated conditions, phase equilibria of the coating under the operating conditions pertaining to the application of the coating, the coating recovery mechanism, and the thermal stability of the coating.

Development of new, radiation-tolerant materials that maintain the structural integrity and safety margins over the course of a nuclear power reactor’s service life requires the ability to predict degradation phenomena. Modern post-irradiation examination methods make use of specialized high-flux test reactors and dedicated characterization facilities to limit occupational exposure and prevent the spread of radioactive contamination. This article illustrates the use of these advanced techniques to characterize precipitates in neutron-irradiated Fe-Cr-Al alloys.

The rapidly increasing complexity of microelectronic devices is necessitating the use of sophisticated imaging tools to analyze and correct defects. This article describes advanced analytical techniques in use at the Fraunhofer Center for Applied Microstructure Diagnostics.

Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) use a combination of scanning and transmission electron microscopy, atom probe tomography, and focused ion beam milling to analyze corrosion and crack structures in light-water reactor components with near-atomic spatial resolution.