High Temperature Laser-Scanning Confocal Microscopy for the in-situ Investigation of Grain Growth and Phase Transformations in Intermetallic γ-TiAl based Alloys

Abstract

Solid-state phase transformations and grain growth in an intermetallic γ-TiAl based alloy were examined using a confocal laser-scanning microscope. This apparatus allows the in-situ visualization of the microstructural development at high temperatures. The sample is thus placed into a furnace and a predetermined temperature profile is followed, while the surface is scanned using a laser. The contrast is gained by the thermal etching.