Direct Characterization of Various Deformation Microstructures in Metals by Electron Channeling Contrast Technique in SEM

Abstract

Recent research findings on the electron channeling contrast (ECC) characterization of various deformation microstructures in some metals were summarized. It is shown that the ECC technique can easily image, in a wide field of view, typical dislocation structures in fatigued Cu single crystals, as well as the relevant dislocation arrangements in deformation bands (DBs). The thermal instability of cyclic deformation induced dislocation structures in Cu single crystals under annealing, and microstructural instability of ultrafine-grained (UFG) Cu produced by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) under annealing or deforming were also well detected by ECC observations. In addition, a trial observation of the plastic deformation micro-features around the fatigue crack (tip) in Al6XN super-austenitic stainless steels was also made by the ECC technique.