New electrical, mechanical, and chemical testing capabilities give scanning electron microscopes the feel of a self-contained “nano-laboratory.” Several developments in SEM technology allow new and more flexible approaches to the analysis of novel systems, such as Li battery-related materials, nanostructured and nanoporous materials, and novel approaches to 3D analysis.

This article explains how SEM, TEM, and atom probe tomography are being used in the development of additively manufactured high-entropy alloys (HEAs), revealing critical features such as anisotropic microstructure and metallurgical defects. It also discusses ongoing efforts to improve the predictability and analysis of HEA microstructure using data-driven approaches.

Using a Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) microscope along with an FTIR spectrophotometer proves beneficial in analyzing the complex layers of some composite polymer films. The study reported in this article demonstrates that analysis of the FTIR spectra can help clarify and explain the formulation of different layers that compose the polymer film.

This entry won the prestigious Jacquet-Lucas Award for Best in Show in the 2020 International Metallographic Contest. In the research discussed in this article, light microscopy was applied to a Co28Cr6Mo alloy for a biomedical application processed by laser bed powder fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing.

This article describes sample preparation to create a visually impressive micrograph image of single-phase cartridge brass, C26000, an alloy composition of 70% copper and 30% zinc. C26000 was chosen due to the striking twins and large grain size that are easily generated by annealing a cold-worked sample, the large range of contrast and colors that can be created by etching, and the wide availability of the material. This entry won the Jacquet-Lucas Award for Best in Show at the 2021 International Metallographic Contest.

Optical or light microscopy uses the visible or near-visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and is one of the oldest characterization techniques. With any cold spray coating, it is the first characterization process used to evaluate and optimize process variables.

3D laser microscopy is opening new areas of study for metallic alloys and coatings in power generation applications. This article describes some case studies where laser microscopy has augmented, and in some cases replaced, metallic alloy characterization using optical microscopy or scanning electron microscopy.

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.

In cold spray characterization, scanning electron microscopy is used to analyze feedstock powders for particle size, distribution, shape, and chemical composition prior to spraying. SEM is used extensively to characterize coating chemistry via energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Coating thickness and interface contour can be characterized in a manner that makes SEM an indispensable and versatile tool for evaluating coating integrity in the as-sprayed condition, as well as in developing an understanding of bonding to the substrate.

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.

A mixed-reality application called HoloMicroscope helps microscopists make decisions and analyze data efficiently while using transmission electron microscopes. In the context of materials research, using mixed reality augments a user’s interaction by allowing them to see a TEM column and its control panels, while also interacting with three-dimensional holograms that are projected into their field of view. Introduction of mixed reality into a data-intensive research workflow could help accelerate scientific discovery. This article provides background about technology and a case study in its use.

Characterizing ice and snow is important not only for building accurate climate models, but also for activities such as relating the mechanical properties of sea ice to its microstructure so that the interaction of ice with ships and structures can be better understood. This article describes the microstructural characterization of ice. Many microstructural characterization techniques that can be applied to other materials also can be used to examine ice.

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.

X-ray microscopy (XRM) offers long working distances and switchable magnification, facilitating time-resolved volumetric investigation of materials and structures. Examples show how XRM opens new windows into microstructure evolution processes in functional materials such as batteries, in response to charge state, and polymer foams, in response to compression loading.

This new article series explores the indispensable role of characterization in the development of cold spray coatings and illustrates some of the common processes used during coatings development. This article provides a list of techniques to be covered in subsequent articles.

A microscope using differential interference contrast inspects grains and inclusions on heat treated aluminum parts to help predict the performance of the metal.

Meet David B. Williams, FASM, the new president of ASM, and learn about his academic and scientific background, leadership, and contributions as a researcher and educator.

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.

Determining the root cause of avionics failures requires a disciplined and systematic analytical process supported by sophisticated equipment. This article reviews some of the analytical tools and techniques used to understand and prevent avionics failures.

The ability to produce bulk metallic nanolaminates has greatly expanded the potential structural applications for these materials, motivating investigations into formability, joining techniques, and deformation behavior. This article presents an overview of both the accumulative roll bonding process and the deformation behavior for copper-niobium nanolaminates. This entry won the Jacquet-Lucas Award for Best in Show at the 2014 International Metallographic Contest.