Prakt. Met. Sonderband 52 (2018) 351
408 FASO . . Cl
Ie “Sly Completion of the entire workflow, from initial Al alloy sample preparation to recording of all
2 40 alloy surface images took 1.5 hours, about 3-6 times faster than more common sample
preparation methods. The determined defect volume was 0.429 x 10° mm? (0.429
nanoliters) and surface area was 0.545 mm?2.
The entire workflow was performed with the following instrumentation and software from
Leica Microsystems:
» EM TXP surface preparation system equipped with a:
— M80 stereo microscope and
— 1C80 HD digital camera (installed in microscope); and
o LAS X 3D Visualization software for 3D image reconstruction.
It should be noted that other Leica digital cameras are available for use with the M80
microscope if a higher digital resolution is required for imaging.
The 3D imaging method using the EM TXP system with integrated microscope allows a
much faster execution of the entire workflow. The user has the possibility to use polishing,
cutting, sawing, drilling, or milling for sample preparation and choose the most efficient
method. In situ imaging of the sample after each milling step eliminates any sample transfer
between the preparation tool and an external microscope. As a result, there is no need for
any re-adjustment during the work steps, because the sample remains always aligned with
both the mill cutter and microscope.
The 3D image of the alloy defect reconstructed from the stack of 2D images had sufficient
resolution to enable accurate volume and surface area measurement of the defect.
References
1) J.A. DeRose, T. Suter, T. Hack, R. Adey, Eds. “Aluminium Alloy Corrosion of Aircraft
Be LAS X 3D Structures: Modelling and Simulation” (Wit Press, Southampton, UK, 2012); ISBN: 978-1-
on 2 84564-752-0; http://www.witoress.com/books/978-1-84564-752-0.
q the defects
Zoomin only 2) C. Puncreobutr, P.D. Lee, R.W. Hamilton, A.B. Phillion, "Quantitative 3D Characterization
of Solidification Structure and Defect Evolution in Al Alloys", Journal of The Minerals, Metals
& Materials Society (2012) vol. 64, iss. 1, pp. 89-95, DOI: 10.1007/s11837-011-0217-9;
httns://macsnhere.mcmaster.ca/bitstream/11375/21 834/1/2012 JOM Puncreobutr_etal..
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