Materials Engineers use images such as this to examine the distribution of phases in sintered ceramic composites. These figures show the application of chemical imaging technique from a sample of Sm doped SiAION ceramic. Note that the 21R phase is indistinguishable from beta prim in the BEI but that chemical imaging allows phase identification, since 21R is Al rich. Monash researchers are using these techniques to correlate heat treatment, microstructure and mechanical properties for rational heat treatment design. The light-optical microscope remains a valuable characterisation tool for Materials Engineers.
Grain structure plays a vital role in the properties of engineering materials.
Ti-bearing microalloyed steels are used in heavy construction such as bridges and offshore oil platforms. High strength and toughness are required and so processing roiutes are designed to produce fine grained alloys.