Microscopy and its irreplaceable assistance in corrosion science

摘要

Microscopy has a significant importance for determination of corrosion attack and investigation of corrosion mechanism. Integral part of microscopical observation has a high-quality materialographic preparation of the specimen. Light microscopy observation (LM) can localize nonmetallic phases, component failure and corrosion attack of material. Color imaging of material in the area of visible light by LM allows to localize region of material corrosion attack, its character and intensity. LM observation of metallographic cross-section reveal corrosion mechanism in material volume, its character, way of growth through material, its evolution and attack intensity. Observation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in combination with elemental composition detectors (EDS, WDS) can identify corrosion attack individual regions and products type. Correlative microscopy, combination of light and electron microscopy is optimal for fast localization and precise identification of mentioned regions.