Characterization of tribological surfaces by scanning electron acoustic microscopy

Abstract

Scanning electron acoustic microscopy, a useful new technique for analyzing wear surfaces, can be carried out in a modified scanning electron microscope. With this technique the thermal and elastic properties of surfaces can be imaged and surface and subsurface cracks throughout the specimen can be detected from their effect on the image. The technique is valuable in the study of surface fatigue wear, the identification of cracks likely to lead to spalling and the mapping of alloy phases in the upper 5–10 μm of the wear surface. Some examples illustrate the origin and interpretation of scanning electron acoustic micrographs and the use of the technique in the study of wear.