Free Access
Issue
Microsc. Microanal. Microstruct.
Volume 6, Number 5-6, October / December 1995
Page(s) 673 - 683
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/mmm:1995157
Microsc. Microanal. Microstruct. 6, 673-683 (1995)
DOI: 10.1051/mmm:1995157

Nanocrystalline Al Investigated by Transmission Electron Microscope

Marilena Re1, Marco Alvisi2, Ennio Bonetti2 et Leander Tapfer1

1  PA.S.T.I.S - C.N.R.S.M.-S.S. 7 Appia km 712, 72100 Brindisi, Italy
2  Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Bologna e I.N.EM., via Irnerio 46, 40126 Bologna, Italy


Abstract
Nanocrystalline aluminium (n-Al), prepared by mechanical attrition in an inert atmosphere and in form of cold consolidated bars, has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The effects of three final thinning techniques of preparation for TEM, ion-milling, electrochemical jet-polishing and "powders", have been compared. The most representative samples prove to be those prepared by putting some powder on a carbon film coated grid. Information about the grain sizes for samples prepared by the different techniques and samples before and after a thermal treatment (500 K) has been obtained. We have also reported our high-resolution images of interfaces.

PACS
6146 - Structure of solid clusters, nanoparticles, and nanostructured materials.
6480G - Microstructure.
8120G - Preparation of metals and alloys compacts, pseudoalloys.
8120E - Powder techniques, compaction and sintering.

Key words
aluminium -- grain size -- nanostructured materials -- powder metallurgy -- transmission electron microscopy -- nanocrystalline Al -- transmission electron microscopy -- n Al -- mechanical attrition -- inert atmosphere -- cold consolidated bars -- thinning techniques -- TEM -- ion milling -- electrochemical jet polishing -- powders -- carbon film coated grid -- grain size -- thermal treatment -- high resolution images -- 500 K -- Al


© EDP Sciences 1995