Microstructural characterization of Ni-22Fe-22Cr-6Al metallic foam by transmission electron microscopy

Ni-22Fe-22Cr-6Al metallic foam, prepared using a thermomechanical treatment and alloying elements, was studied via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in order to clarify the relationship between the mechanical properties and the nanoscale microstructural characteristics. Due to the unique porous structure of the metallic foam, TEM specimens were prepared using an embedding-process-assisted-ion-milling technique and a focused-ion-beam method. The Cr-, Fe- and Al-clustered regions around the surface of the metallic foam were investigated using elemental maps. The Ni(3)Al (γ') precipitates, which can affect the mechanical properties of the Ni-Fe-Cr (γ) matrix, were characterized in the metallic foam.