Wireless Preamplifier for the Specimen Current Mode Detector in a SEM

Using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in the back-scattered electron (BSE) mode the composition of multi-element specimens may be determined based on the strong dependence of emission coefficient η on the average atomic number of elements Z. The output video signal of the usual BSE detectors is produced from their sensors, and the larger proportion of high-energy electrons with modified spectrum is added. Since η = is/ip (is and ip currents of specimen and probe), better accuracy must be achieved by direct measurements those currents on the specimen surface. Here, an experimental model of a current detector for a presented specimen is described. The cage is mounted on the carousel of the moving specimen stage. The input of the preamplifier is connected to the specimen holder in the form of a disk, the diameter of which is 12 mm. When the probe along its surface scanned, the input potential begins to pulsate with a negative polarity. The output of this preamplifier is connected to a small light-emitting diode, which creates intensity-modulated radiation in the chamber. Thus created the light video signal will be picked up by the photomultiplier of the E-T detector. The modes of true SE and BSE are set by applying tens bias volts of various polarities to the specimens or the cage itself.

Quantitative Characterization and Elastic Properties of Interfacial Transition Zone around Coarse Aggregate in Concrete

Backscattered electron images（BSE） obtained by scanning electron microscope was used to quantitatively characterize the microstructure of interfacial transition zone（ITZ） in concrete. Influences of aggregate size（5, 10, 20, and 30 mm）, water to cement ratio（0.23, 0.35 and 0.53） and curing time（from 3d to 90d） on the microstructure of interfacial transition zone between coarse aggregate and bulk cement matrix were investigated. The volume percentage of detectable porosity and unhydrated cement in ITZ was quantitatively analyzed and compared with that in the matrix of various concretes. Nanoindentation technology was applied to obtain the elastic properties of ITZ and matrix, and the elastic modulus of concrete was then calculated based on the Lu ＆ Torquato model and self-consistence scheme by using the ITZ thickness and elastic modulus obtained from this investigation. The experimental results demonstrated that the microstructure and thickness of ITZ in concrete vary with a variety of factors, like aggregate size, water to cement ratio and curing time. The relative low elastic properties of ITZ should be paid attention to, especially for early age concrete.

Effect of Poly-Alkylene-Glycol Quenchant on the Distortion, Hardness, and Microstructure of 65Mn Steel

Currently,the 65Mn steel is quenched mainly by oil media.Even though the lower cooling rate of oil compared to water reduces the hardness of steel post quenching,the deforming and cracking of parts are often minimized.On the other hand,the oil media also has the disadvantage of being ammable,creating smoke that adversely affects the media.The poly alkylene glycol(PAG)polymer quenchant is commonly used for quenching a variety of steels based on its advantages such as non-ammability and exible cooling rate subjected to varying concentration and stirring speed.This article examines the effect of PAG polymer quenching solution(with concentrations of 10%and 20%)on deformation,hardness,and microstructure of C-ring samples made of 65Mn steel.Furthermore,the performance of PAG polymer quenchant is also compared with those of two common quenching solutions:Water and oil.When cooling in water,the C-ring samples had the largest deformation and 2 times higher than the results obtained when a 10%PAG solution was used.In particular,similar levels of deformation on the C-ring samples were observed in both cases of 20%PAG solution and oil as the primary quenching media.Furthermore,the hardness level measured between the sampled parts quenched in the 20%PAG solution appeared to be more uniform than that obtained from the oil-quenched sample.The study of the microscopic structure of steel by optical microscopy combined with X-ray diffraction showed that the water hardened sample exhibited cracks and comprised of two phases,martensite and retained austenite.According to the results of Electron Back Scattering Diffraction(EBSD)analysis and backscattering electronic image(BSE),the content of austenite residue in the sample when the sample was cooled in PAG 10 and 20%solution was 3.21%and 4.73%,respectively and smaller than the measurements obtained from oil quenching solution.Thus,the 65Mn steel is cooled in 20%PAG solution for high hardness and more evenly distributed than when it is quenched in oil while still ensuring a small level of deformation.Therefore,the PAG 20%solution can completely replace oil as the main media used to quench the 65Mn steel.