The Role of Ultramicrotomy in the Microstructural Studies of Rapidly Solidified Aluminium Alloy Powders

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe as-produced high hardness of rapidly solidified aluminium powder alloys make TEM specimen preparation difficult. Conventional methods, i.e. electrothinning or ion-beam thinning of electroplated foils or compacts, although adequate for some powders, are not suitable for many other new and novel alloy powders. In this paper we discuss ultramicrotomy of such powders and the prospects and limitations of the method.