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Dual-phase steel structure visualized by extremely slow electrons.

Šárka Mikmeková1, Katsumi Yamada2, Hisato Noro3

  • 1Steel Research Laboratory, JFE Steel Corporation, 1-1 Minamiwatarida-cho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0855, Japan sarka@isibrno.cz.

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|October 27, 2015
PubMed
Summary

This study reveals that extremely low-energy electrons (<100 eV) in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) significantly improve the visualization of dual-phase (DP) steels. This technique enhances the separation of martensite from ferrite, aiding in the characterization of complex steel microstructures.

Keywords:
SEMSLEEMbackscattered electronsdual-phase steelssecondary electronsslow electrons

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Metallurgy
  • Surface Science

Background:

  • Complex steels, such as dual-phase (DP) steels, possess multi-phase structures that critically influence their mechanical properties.
  • Characterizing these microstructures using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is essential but challenging due to difficulties in distinguishing constituent phases like ferrite and martensite.
  • Existing SEM methods for phase segmentation offer various approaches and utilize a broad spectrum of electron energies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate effective phase identification in DP steels across a wide range of primary electron landing energies, from tens of keV down to tens of eV.
  • To investigate the utility of extremely low landing energies (<100 eV) for high-resolution surface visualization and phase separation in DP steels.
  • To explore a novel 'cathode lens mode' for enabling SEM imaging across the full energy spectrum.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized SEM to analyze DP steels at high, low, and extremely low primary electron landing energies (tens of keV to tens of eV).
  • Implemented a 'cathode lens mode' by inserting an earthed detector to facilitate visualization at very low landing energies.
  • Acquired images at various magnifications to assess phase separation and contrast.

Main Results:

  • Extremely slow electrons (<100 eV) proved highly effective for separating martensite from the ferrite matrix due to superior surface sensitivity and visualization of fine features.
  • Channelling contrast was notably suppressed at landing energies of tens of eV, enabling clear phase separation even at low magnifications.
  • Phase contrast at tens of eV was attributed to differences in the native oxide layer thickness on martensite and ferrite phases.

Conclusions:

  • Extremely low-energy SEM imaging, particularly in the 'cathode lens mode', offers a powerful method for detailed microstructural analysis of DP steels.
  • The high surface sensitivity and reduced channelling contrast at low landing energies (<100 eV) significantly enhance the ability to distinguish ferrite and martensite phases.
  • Understanding the role of native oxide layers provides a mechanistic explanation for the observed phase contrast in low-energy SEM imaging of DP steels.