Application of advanced techniques for metal identification and characterization

Abstract

The appraisal of metallic materials requires application of advanced characterisation techniques. In this paper, the use has been made of Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy techniques to characterise morphological, structural and chemical composition of 316-stainless steel and unknown brass sample. The determined lattice parameter of unknown brass sample was 3.6812Ǻ and consisted of 63% Cu and 37% Zn by weight. The XRD analysis indicated a faced-centred-cubic crystal structure and the sample concluded to be an alpha brass. The measured dislocation density in 316-stainless steel increased with increasing plastic strain and the dislocation structures varied from relatively uniform distribution at low strains to cell-like structures at high strains. The spread of X-ray diffraction peak related linearly with the dislocation content of 316-stainless steel.