Atom probe tomography for studying phase transformations in steels

Abstract

Abstract: Atom probe tomography is a three-dimensional micro- or nano-characterization technique that is routinely used to visualize and quantify the microstructure of materials at the atomic level. In this chapter, an overview of the technique of atom probe tomography is presented as it pertains to phase transformation in steels. The electropolishing and focused-ion beam-based methods used to fabricate the needle-shaped specimens of steels are summarized. The typical methods, such as atom maps and isoconcentration surfaces, used to visualize the phases and other fine scale microstructural features are outlined. The common methods used to analyze and quantify the various types of phase transformations in steels, including the early stages of nucleation and spinodal decomposition, are discussed.