Metal oxide structure investigated using a variety of light‐ and electron‐microscopical techniques*

Abstract

SUMMARY Special techniques for examining the same specimen area of metal oxides with different instruments, for example light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of identical features are described. Transmission electron microscopy and diffraction on stripped oxide films have been augmented by electron‐probe microanalysis both in a conventional microanalyser and in a combined electron‐microscope microanalyser EMMA‐4. Examples of scanning electron microscopy of oxidized sheet‐metal specimens and stripped films are given and probe analysis in the Stereoscan is illustrated. High‐voltage electron microscopy of oxide nodules reveals additional detail. Techniques for examining thick oxide scales are also described. The illustrations are taken from the oxidation of iron 10% chromium alloy at 500−600°C in air.

Metal oxide systems studied by analytical electron microscopy

“…5 is typical of the morphology seen over the whole of the 20"/b Cr alloy, the oxide structure on the lo:/, alloy varies considerably from grain to grain and in particular the iron content of some nodules may be much higher than the 8: 1 ratio quoted for Fig. 4 at g (Fursey, 1971). A weight gain equivalent to the 32 pg/cm2 obtained after 5 h at 600°C on Fe-lOyo Cr alloy is only achieved after 5 days for Fe-20;iCr (Fig.…”

Chemical microscopy

“…James et al (143) use light and scanning electron microscopy to study the role of hair structure in sound production of bowed instruments. Fursey (90) also developed a technique for studying the identical features of a specimen with light and electron microscopical techniques. He used this technique to examine metal oxide structures.…”

“…Metals. See Crystallography (/), Automatic Image Analysis (4, 61, 71, 149, 159, 328), Stereology (9,223), Interference Microscopy (140, 208), Microspectrophotometry (237,253), Polarized Light Microscopy (29.5), Instruments, Miscellaneous (182, 314), Stages (252), Articles of General Interest (90), and Books (212,312).…”