APPLICATION OF 3D SERIAL SECTIONING AND ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES TO STUDY MICROSTRUCTURAL EVOLUTION

摘要

This paper provides a brief overview of the application of three dimensional (3D) serial sectioning and analysis techniques to study microstructural evolution in inorganic materials. Some highlights of the historical development of such techniques, from about the beginning of the 20th century to now, are presented first in order to provide insight as to how this field has emerged. Examples are then given of more current research findings by our group at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) from 3D microstructural investigations in four different ferrous-based alloy systems. These include studies of: (1) the proeutectoid cementite transformation in a hypereutectoid Fe-1.3wt%C-12wt% Mn steel, (2) the proeutectoid ferrite transformation in a hypoeutectoid Fe-0.12wt%C-3 wt% Ni alloy, (3) coarse autotempered martensite in a high strength low alloy steel (HSLA-100), and (4) austenite and sigma phase microstructures (used as input into 3D models of stress/strain evolution) in a superaustenitic stainless steel. The intent of this paper is not to present a comprehensive review of this rapidly growing field, but instead to provide briefly some highlights of: (1) the evolution of serial sectioning studies in materials science, (2) the current state-of-the art of this field, and (3) a few specific examples which demonstrate the utility and importance of such methods in studying microstructural evolution.