PMI SPECIALISTS, INC "WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW"

Microstructure Analysis
Microstructure is
strongly related to
all kinds of material’s properties, including mechanical, thermal,
electrical, optical, magnetic and environmental resistance. In general
microstructure study is about the size, shape and distribution of each
phase in a polycrystalline and/or multiphase material. Microstructure
is largely developed during processing and may change in response to
service conditions. In materials formed from a melt (most metals) the
casting conditions and subsequent treatments (cold work and annealing,
hot working, annealing, etc.) determine the microstructure. In
materials made via powder processing, powder characteristics (size,
shape and surface impurities) along with the time-temperature history
tend to determine microstructure. In polycrystalline thin films the
deposition parameters (pressure, substrate temperature, etc.) and
annealing conditions tend to determine the microstructure. Application
at high temperatures may alter the microstructure since grain growth,
evaporation of volatile components, oxidation and other processes may
occur.
At PMI specialists, we use a combination of techniques including optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) to determine the microstructures and chemical analyhsis on a variety of materials. Our wealth of expertise in materials including alloys, polymers, ceramics and composites can be accessed to solve problems with typical applications including:
At PMI specialists, we use a combination of techniques including optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) to determine the microstructures and chemical analyhsis on a variety of materials. Our wealth of expertise in materials including alloys, polymers, ceramics and composites can be accessed to solve problems with typical applications including:
# Grain size/grain flow
# Identification of inclusions and specks
# Porosity and bonding evaluation
# Refractory attack mechanisms
# Fiber/matrix debonding
# Surface deposits and coatings
# Development of interfaces on reaction
# Unknown particles or materials identification
# Evaluation of material processing
# Performance evaluation and variability
# Failure mechanisms and crack development
Variable Pressure Secondary Electron (VPSE) Detector
Our new variable
pressure Zeiss EVO
MA-15 SEM is equipped with a newly developed third generation variable
pressure secondary electron detector, which allows high resolution
microstructure imaging possible on non-conductive, wet or volatile
samples. Typical samples we can handle include corrosion products,
cloth, polymer films, plastic components, printed-circuit boards,
ceramics, rockes, painted and coated metals, explanted medical devices
with attached tissue, metal components encapsulated in polymer,
lubricated metals and polymers. In many of these cases, evaporative or
sputter coating was either undesirable or not possible. These examples
show the value of eliminating sample pretreatment and the utility for
performing scanning electron microscopy at variable pressures.







