Methodology and Characterization Techniques of a Scanning Electron Microscope
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Mike Hurley (Mentor), Boise State University
Abstract
The properties of a metal alloy are determined by the microscale features within the material. Advanced characterization tools with high resolution are required to observe and distinguish composition and structural features at this scale. This work focuses on describing the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for materials characterization, the different modes of operation, and step-by-step methodology that was used to investigate a new aluminum alloy, Al6061 RAM2, that is specially formulated for powder-bed 3D printing. Conventional Al6061 is a common structural material but is not able to be 3D printed. This new alloy has added ceramic particles dispersed throughout that improve the printability while still retaining typical properties of Al6061.
The SEM and different modes of operation were used to investigate as-printed bars of Al6061 RAM2 to understand how the ceramic particles influence the microscale structure and composition.
Methodology and Characterization Techniques of a Scanning Electron Microscope
The properties of a metal alloy are determined by the microscale features within the material. Advanced characterization tools with high resolution are required to observe and distinguish composition and structural features at this scale. This work focuses on describing the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for materials characterization, the different modes of operation, and step-by-step methodology that was used to investigate a new aluminum alloy, Al6061 RAM2, that is specially formulated for powder-bed 3D printing. Conventional Al6061 is a common structural material but is not able to be 3D printed. This new alloy has added ceramic particles dispersed throughout that improve the printability while still retaining typical properties of Al6061.
The SEM and different modes of operation were used to investigate as-printed bars of Al6061 RAM2 to understand how the ceramic particles influence the microscale structure and composition.