Metals Research and Characterization

Characterization of metals and alloys

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers electron microscopy solutions that significantly enhance the speed and depth of metal analysis. Our automation tools enable a comprehensive examination of the elemental and structural composition of hundreds, if not thousands, of precipitates within hours, compared to the few dozen attainable through manual analysis in a day. This approach provides both statistical insights into bulk properties and high-detail views of individual precipitates, delivering a multi-scale understanding of the metal.

Metals nanoparticle analysis

Modern cutting-edge metals are increasingly engineered at the nanoscale to enhance their durability, reliability, and cost. Even traditional processes are now augmented with microscopic inspection to determine the resulting material’s elemental and structural composition.

 

In particular, the effective production of metals requires precise control of inclusions and precipitates. Depending on their consistency and distribution, these can either strengthen the material or act as contaminants, greatly impacting quality and lifetime. These microscopic properties can include:

  • Nano-precipitates formed during rolling, annealing or hot pressing
  • Nanoscale morphological changes (dislocations, crack initiation sites)
  • Grain boundaries
  • Oxide inclusions that cause casting interruptions in steelmaking
ChemiSEM with ChemiPhase analysis converts EDS data into answers about a sample. This steel inclusion is composed of TiN (green, 47.6%), CaS (orange, 39.6%) and calcium aluminate (pink, 12.8%). ChemiSEM with ChemiPhase analysis converts EDS data into answers about a sample. This steel inclusion is composed of TiN (green, 47.6%), CaS (orange, 39.6%) and calcium aluminate (pink, 12.8%).

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

1x1 image pixel for data collection