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Infrastructure

In-Situ microscopic observation of plastic deformation of metals tested under variable condition (UHR-FEG-SEM)

The intention is to employ the infrastructure for in-situ observation of metallic microstructures during heat treatments (up to 1,000°C) combined or not with plastic deformation. Plastic deformation is performed in the microscope with a sample holder specially designed for this purpose that allows subjecting a metal sample (with dimension in the size-order of mm) to a tensile load (with maximum force of 5,000 N). The same sample holder also allows the sample to be heated to a temperature of ~700°C. In addition, a separate sample holder is also provided that allows the sample to be heated to a temperature of 1,000°C (albeit without plastic deformation). The main observing mode in these tests is orientation-contrast microscopy using EBSD (Electron BackScatter Diffraction), which allows images to be registered that are ideally suited for quantitative and statistical post-processing including data mining and artificial intelligence algorithms.

Type: Equipment
Location type: Single sited
Accessibility: Everyone
User modalities: <p> The use of the infrastructure is managed by a consortium board, chaired by the spokesperson/supervisor of the consortium and in which all co-promoters are represented together with the UGent technician, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the electron microscopy facilities in the Metal group Science and Technology (MST) of Ghent University. <br> <br>A shared electronic environment will be created for the organized exploitation of the infrastructure, in which microscopy users can reserve time slots for microscopy operations and the operational rules will be established. Certified users have received specific training from the electron microscopy technician of Ghent University. It is assumed that in-situ experiments are quite time consuming and risky. Therefore, microscopy usage times can be booked in continuous sessions of up to one week. <br> <br>Three types of users are defined: (i) users who are members of the consortium, (ii) users from participating institutes, but not from the groups that form the consortium, and (iii) external users. In addition to type I users, type II and type III users will also have access to the equipment at a reasonable cost. In the event of insufficient operating time for all interested users, preference will be given to Type I and Type II users respectively. </p>
In use: 1 Feb 2023 →  Today
Disciplines: Metals and alloy materials
Keywords: in-situ tensile loading, in-situ hogh-resolution scanning electron microscopy, in-situ annealing treatment, EBSD