We report on the characterization of grain boundary (GB) segregation in an Fe–28Mn–0.3C (wt.%) tw... more We report on the characterization of grain boundary (GB) segregation in an Fe–28Mn–0.3C (wt.%) twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steel. After recrystallization of this steel for 24 h at 700 °C, ~50% general grain boundaries (GBs) and ~35% Σ3 annealing twin boundaries were observed (others were high-order Σ and low-angle GBs). The segregation of B, C and P and traces of Si and Cu were detected at the general GB by atom probe tomography (APT) and quantified using ladder diagrams. In the case of the Σ3 coherent annealing twin, it was necessary to first locate the position of the boundary by density analysis of the atom probe data, then small amounts of B, Si and P segregation and, surprisingly, depletion of C were detected. The concentration of Mn was constant across the interface for both boundary types. The depletion of C at the annealing twin is explained by a local change in the stacking sequence at the boundary, creating a local hexagonal close-packed structure with low C solubility. This finding raises the question of whether segregation/depletion also occurs at Σ3 deformation twin boundaries in high-Mn TWIP steels. Consequently, a previously published APT dataset of the Fe–22Mn–0.6C alloy system, containing a high density of deformation twins due to 30% tensile deformation at room temperature, was reinvestigated using the same analysis routine as for the annealing twin. Although crystallographically identical to the annealing twin, no evidence of segregation or depletion was found at the deformation twins, owing to the lack of mobility of solutes during twin formation at room temperature.
A brief article for the general reader explaining how combined use of synchrotron techniques prov... more A brief article for the general reader explaining how combined use of synchrotron techniques provides insight into the mechanisms of fatigue.
Compared with the existent techniques, atom probe tomography is a unique technique able to chemic... more Compared with the existent techniques, atom probe tomography is a unique technique able to chemically characterize the internal interfaces at the nanoscale and in three dimensions. Indeed, APT possesses high sensitivity (in the order of ppm) and high spatial resolution (sub nm). Considerable efforts were done here to prepare an APT tip which contains the desired grain boundary with a known structure. Indeed, site-specific sample preparation using combined focused-ion-beam, electron backscatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy is presented in this work. This method allows selected grain boundaries with a known structure and location in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-films to be studied by atom probe tomography. Finally, we discuss the advantages and drawbacks of using the atom probe tomography technique to study the grain boundaries in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-film solar cells.
We have investigated the strain-hardening mechanisms across the relevant scales in a Fe-22Mn-0.6C... more We have investigated the strain-hardening mechanisms across the relevant scales in a Fe-22Mn-0.6C (wt.%) twinning induced plasticity steel by multi-scale microstructure characterization. The approach makes use of electron microscopy techniques such as electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) to characterize microstructure features at the micro/nano scale, and atomic-scale investigations of partitioning behavior across interfaces and solid solution/clustering effects by atom probe tomography (APT). The contribution of most relevant microstructure features to strain hardening is analyzed.
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2010
The structural integrity and performance of many components and structures are dominated by crack... more The structural integrity and performance of many components and structures are dominated by cracks and hence the study of cracked bodies study is of major economical and social importance. Despite nearly 30 years of study, there is still no detailed consensus ...
A multi-scale investigation of twin bundles in Fe–22Mn–0.6C (wt%) twinning-induced plasticity ste... more A multi-scale investigation of twin bundles in Fe–22Mn–0.6C (wt%) twinning-induced plasticity steel after tensile deformation has been carried out by truly correlative means; using electron channelling contrast imaging combined with electron backscatter diffraction, high-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and atom probe tomography on the exact same region of interest in the sample. It was revealed that there was no significant segregation of Mn or C to the twin boundary interfaces.
We report on the characterization of grain boundary (GB) segregation in an Fe–28Mn–0.3C (wt.%) tw... more We report on the characterization of grain boundary (GB) segregation in an Fe–28Mn–0.3C (wt.%) twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steel. After recrystallization of this steel for 24 h at 700 °C, ~50% general grain boundaries (GBs) and ~35% Σ3 annealing twin boundaries were observed (others were high-order Σ and low-angle GBs). The segregation of B, C and P and traces of Si and Cu were detected at the general GB by atom probe tomography (APT) and quantified using ladder diagrams. In the case of the Σ3 coherent annealing twin, it was necessary to first locate the position of the boundary by density analysis of the atom probe data, then small amounts of B, Si and P segregation and, surprisingly, depletion of C were detected. The concentration of Mn was constant across the interface for both boundary types. The depletion of C at the annealing twin is explained by a local change in the stacking sequence at the boundary, creating a local hexagonal close-packed structure with low C solubility. This finding raises the question of whether segregation/depletion also occurs at Σ3 deformation twin boundaries in high-Mn TWIP steels. Consequently, a previously published APT dataset of the Fe–22Mn–0.6C alloy system, containing a high density of deformation twins due to 30% tensile deformation at room temperature, was reinvestigated using the same analysis routine as for the annealing twin. Although crystallographically identical to the annealing twin, no evidence of segregation or depletion was found at the deformation twins, owing to the lack of mobility of solutes during twin formation at room temperature.
A brief article for the general reader explaining how combined use of synchrotron techniques prov... more A brief article for the general reader explaining how combined use of synchrotron techniques provides insight into the mechanisms of fatigue.
Compared with the existent techniques, atom probe tomography is a unique technique able to chemic... more Compared with the existent techniques, atom probe tomography is a unique technique able to chemically characterize the internal interfaces at the nanoscale and in three dimensions. Indeed, APT possesses high sensitivity (in the order of ppm) and high spatial resolution (sub nm). Considerable efforts were done here to prepare an APT tip which contains the desired grain boundary with a known structure. Indeed, site-specific sample preparation using combined focused-ion-beam, electron backscatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy is presented in this work. This method allows selected grain boundaries with a known structure and location in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-films to be studied by atom probe tomography. Finally, we discuss the advantages and drawbacks of using the atom probe tomography technique to study the grain boundaries in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-film solar cells.
We have investigated the strain-hardening mechanisms across the relevant scales in a Fe-22Mn-0.6C... more We have investigated the strain-hardening mechanisms across the relevant scales in a Fe-22Mn-0.6C (wt.%) twinning induced plasticity steel by multi-scale microstructure characterization. The approach makes use of electron microscopy techniques such as electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) to characterize microstructure features at the micro/nano scale, and atomic-scale investigations of partitioning behavior across interfaces and solid solution/clustering effects by atom probe tomography (APT). The contribution of most relevant microstructure features to strain hardening is analyzed.
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2010
The structural integrity and performance of many components and structures are dominated by crack... more The structural integrity and performance of many components and structures are dominated by cracks and hence the study of cracked bodies study is of major economical and social importance. Despite nearly 30 years of study, there is still no detailed consensus ...
A multi-scale investigation of twin bundles in Fe–22Mn–0.6C (wt%) twinning-induced plasticity ste... more A multi-scale investigation of twin bundles in Fe–22Mn–0.6C (wt%) twinning-induced plasticity steel after tensile deformation has been carried out by truly correlative means; using electron channelling contrast imaging combined with electron backscatter diffraction, high-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and atom probe tomography on the exact same region of interest in the sample. It was revealed that there was no significant segregation of Mn or C to the twin boundary interfaces.
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Papers by M. Herbig