Search Results for microstructural analysis

This work shows how metallographic analysis combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy helped investigators determine the basic processing techniques used in a circa 1910 silver-plated brass trombone, specifically, the joint between the mouthpiece receiver and a brace. This entry won the 2011 International Metallographic Contest sponsored by the International Metallographic Society.

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.

This primer discusses three image-based methods that simplify the analysis of phase composition, porosity, and particle distribution, thus providing additional insight into the microstructure of materials.

Vision-based machine learning systems for microstructural characterization and analysis are being successfully used for image classification, semantic and instance segmentation, and object detection, leading to accurate, autonomous, objective, and repeatable results.

Integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) is a relatively new discipline that shows great promise for reducing the cost and time required to design and deploy new materials, manufacturing technologies, and products. This article introduces an ICME implementation framework for product development using modeling of a friction stir welding process as an example.

This article provides a brief overview of the many ways that artificial intelligence and machine learning are being used for materials and manufacturing research. Several case studies show how the discovery, development, and deployment of novel materials are being dramatically accelerated through automation and data-driven models.

In order to take full advantage of the promise of recent computational efforts, new microstructural models that consider realistic shapes, connectivities, and distributions are required. Characterizing materials in 3D is necessary to reveal the actual distributions of relevant microstructural characteristics and thereby enable development of realistic models to predict the behavior of new materials. This article describes methods to model grain size distributions and presents case studies in cementite precipitation morphology and coarse martensite analysis.

A metallurgical study of a 10th century iron-base nail from the central-East coast of Tunisia reveals how early metallurgists without modern scientific knowledge created parts with engineered properties.

Advances in software algorithms and design enable automation of microstructure image analysis, leading to cost savings, reduction in measurement variability, and access to important metrics.

This article describes a procedure for optimizing the annealed microstructure of a high Al KAB steel. The main focus is directed toward characterization of microstructural development during annealing of different phases in a nanostructured bainitic steel using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). This entry won the prestigious 2019 Jacquet-Lucas Award for Excellence in Metallography at the International Metallographic Contest held in Portland, Oregon, October 2019.

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.

Enhanced mining tool performance is achieved through the use of reclaimed NiCrBSi-WC powders in laser metal deposition. Collection, analysis, and reuse of spilled powder lowers production costs and reduces environmental impact.

This article demonstrates the application of machine learning to the classification and segmentation of bainitic microstructures and compares three approaches for assigning the ground truth: correlative microscopy using EBSD as an additional information source, comparison with images obtained from specially produced reference samples, and unsupervised learning.

Despite decades of research, fundamental questions still exist regarding the role of microtexture on the deformation, fatigue, and fracture behavior of titanium alloys. This article describes the microstructural evolution processes that result in microtexture formation, while Part II of this series will further elaborate on the effects of microtexture on deformation behavior.

A multicomponent thermal spray coating system resists pick-up of contaminants that can cause flaws on heat treated strip surface.

This case study details the noninvasive analysis of an 5000-year-old silver figurine from Iran, now in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The The object of this study, a figure of a kneeling bull clothed in a robe with a stepped linear pattern and holding up a spouted vessel, is composed of 15 pieces of worked silver joined together with silver solder. The aim of the study is to apply noninvasive micro-xray fluorescence spectroscopy (μ-XRF) analysis to characterize the silver alloy compositions and compare the new data with previously obtained results from invasive chemical analyses of samples performed by thermal neutron activation.

Structural intermetallics offer a number of attractive choices to address an urgent need for materials that can endure harsh environments for extended periods. This article describes current commercial applications for intermetallic materials and work to develop new alloys and applications.

An investigation into the chemistry and type of tungsten carbide powder used for drill bits has yielded a material with improved transverse rupture strength and interesting microstructural response to thermal cycling.

In Germany, the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) is addressing challenges in the implementation of additive manufacturing on the industrial landscape for safety-critical applications. This article provides an overview of BAM’s activities in additive manufacturing with a focus on safety (both for applications and the environment) and AM technology innovation for a wide range of materials and manufacturing locations.

An in-situ annealing technique combined with electron backscatter diffraction was used to characterize the microstructural evolution of ZE20 magnesium alloy as a function of temperature. This work sets the stage for future experiments to understand and control the recrystallization behavior of commercial alloys.