Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a perfect technique for micro-/nano-object imaging [1] and movement measurement [2, 3] both in high and environmental vacuum conditions and at various temperatures ranging from elevated to low temperatures. In our view, the magnetic field expanding from the pole-piece makes it possible to characterize the behaviour of electromagnetic micro- and nano electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) in which the deflection of the movable part is controlled by the electromagnetic force. What must be determined, however, is the magnetic field expanding from the e-beam column, which is a function of many factors, like working distance (WD), magnification and position of the device in relation to the e-beam column. There are only a few experimental methods for determination of the magnetic field in a scanning electron microscope. In this paper we present a method of the magnetic field determination under the scanning electron column by application of a silicon cantilever magnetometer. The micro-cantilever magnetometer is a silicon micro-fabricated MEMS electromagnetic device integrating a current loop of lithographically defined dimensions. Its stiffness can be calibrated with a precision of 5% by the method described by Majstrzyk et al. [4]. The deflection of the magnetometer cantilever is measured with a scanning electron microscope and thus, through knowing the bias current, it is possible to determine the magnetic field generated by the e-beam column in a defined position and at a defined magnification.

The paper presents the results of tests concerning the effect of the extrusion process in the complex strain state on the microstructure and properties of one of magnesium alloy with aluminium, zinc and manganese, designated AZ61. Due to its specific gravity, it is increasingly being used in the automotive and aerospace industries to reduce the weight of structural elements. As a result of plastic deformation processes, rods with a diameter of 8, 6 and 4 mm were obtained from AZ61 magnesium alloy. The microstructure analysis was performed using light and electron microscopy (STEM) techniques in the initial state and after plastic deformation. Microstructure studies were supplemented with a quantitative analysis using the Metilo program. A number of stereological parameters were determined: average diameter of grain, shape factor. A static tensile test was carried out at 250ºC and 300ºC, at deformation rates of 0.01, 0.001 and 0.0001 m·s–1. Better plastic properties after deformation using KoBo method were obtained than with conventional extrusion.

The objective of this paper is to develop a Non Destructive Testing (NDT) method for the detection and classification of defects in composite materials at a micro level and to devise methodologies to analyse the corrosion resistance behavior using Scanned Electron Microscope (SEM) imagery. The defects on the Stainless Steel – Molybdenum (SS-Mo) Nanocomposite coating is estimated from their Scanning Electron Micrographs by using Image Processing algorithms. For this, the SS-Mo Nano Composite coatings are fabricated using a DC magnetron sputtering process using an indigenously prepared sputtering target. Depositions are carried out on Glass substrate for the evaluation of structural, morphological, chemical composition and corrosion resistance of the coatings prepared under different conditions (deposition of SS at 300°C and RT (Room Temperature); deposition of SS + Mo at 300°C and RT). The structural and compositional analysis performed with X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) has confirmed the formation of Stainless Steel Molybdenum Composite, when the deposition is at 300°C. The SS-Mo composite deposited at 300°C is also observed to yield high corrosion resistance of the order 0.058 mm/year. A novel texture – morphology based image feature descriptor has been proposed for corrosion resistance to evaluate the composite material in a Non-destructive manner. The analysis of SEM image of the developed coatings using the proposed feature along with machine learning algorithm reveals the superior property for SS-Mo coatings deposited at 300°C which is also demonstrated by the laboratory experiments.

SEM Automated Mineralogy (SEM-AM) is an analytical system based on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with backscattered electron detector and an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). This automated tool enables to quantify mineralogy, size and geometry of solid matter components. The paper presents a SEM-AM application in detection of mineralogical and textural sediment sorting on the example of a submarine gravity flow record from the Cergowa sandstones (Lower Oligocene) in the Polish Outer Carpathians. Analysis of high quality backscattered electron (BSE) imagery in combination with EDX spectra discriminates mineral phases in polished samples. These data are then processed by the mineral liberation analysis (MLA) software in order to extract size and shape information, and combine, compare and group components for further examination. Automated data extraction provides highly representative measurement statistics devoid of manual work bias. The Cergowa sandstones were prepared for the analysis as non-granular samples in coated thin sections and granular samples in epoxy mounts. The former samples provide mineralogical data whereas the latter additionally generate textural parameters, both essential in interpretation of variability of flow competence. Comparisons between samples from an individual bed and between different beds of the measured sections give insights into the spatial and temporal flow development at a given locality. On the other hand, a comparison of different sections and regions of the formation will provide basis for the reconstruction of submarine flow events throughout the sedimentary basin and contribute to the characterisation of the provenance areas. Highly detailed quantitative data generated by this procedure have great potential in helping to recognise complex relationships between mineralogical and textural sorting by depositional processes.

The Zirconium 702 alloy effectively used in nuclear industry at various critical conditions like high temperature and high pressure. This survey is an assessment of insights into the mechanical properties of the metal when exposed to different temperatures along the rolling direction.The main objective of this work is to characterize the tensile properties, and fracture study of broken tensile test samples at various temperatures.The tensile samples tested in our current work are 100°C,150°C, and 200°C temperatures in different directions (0°, 45°, 90°) along with the rolling direction of the sheet. It is evident from the experimental results that temperatures significantly affect material properties. Temperature increases cause % elongation to increase, and strength decreases. ANOVA analysis revealed that temperature significantly influenced ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and yield strength (YS), as well as % elongation.The temperature contribution for UTS, YS, and % elongation is 41.90%, 31.60%, and 77.80% respectively. SEM fractured images showing the ductile type of behavior for all the temperatures.

In this study, precipitation of Ca in Al-Mg alloys containing a trace of Ca during homogenization was investigated using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and calculated phase diagrams. TEM result indicated that the Ca-based particles found in the examined sample are Ca7Mg7.5Si14. From the calculation of Scheil-Gulliver cooling, it was found that the Ca was formed as Al4Ca and C36 laves phases with Mg2Si and Al13Fe4 from other impurities phase during solidification. No Ca-Mg-Si ternary phase existed at the homogenization temperature in the calculated phase diagram. From the phase diagram of Al-Al4Ca-Mg2Si three-phase isothermal at 490℃, it was shown that Ca7Mg6Si14 phase co-exists with Al, Mg2Si and Al4Ca in the largest region and with only Al and Mg2Si in Al4Ca-poor regions. It was thought that the Ca7Mg6Si14 ternary phase was formed by the interaction between Mg2Si and Al4Ca considering that the segregation can occur throughout the entire microstructures.

At present, Al-Si-Cu based alloys (with a typical representative AlSi9Cu3 alloy) represent more than half of the castings used in various industries (automotive, aerospace and electrical engineering). These are most often sub-eutectic (exceptionally eutectic) alloys with a content of 6 to 13 wt. % Si and 1 to 5 wt. % Cu. The aim of the paper is to point out the importance of the evaluation of input raw materials that determines the overall properties of the casting and the costs invested in its production. A negative impact on performance can be expected when using an alloy made up of a high proportion of recycled material, despite its economic benefits. Experimental alloys were evaluated based on the results of crystallization process and a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and deep etching. The effect of remelting and increasing the remelted returnable material in the batch was manifested especially in the crystallization of iron-rich phases. The negative effect of remelting on the structural components was manifested after the fourth remelting. Gradual increase of remelted returnable material in the batch causes harmful changes in the crystallization process.