Correlative Microscopy – Color Etching vs. Electron Backscatter Diffraction: Application Potenials and Limitations

Abstract

Abstract The development of new materials and heat treatment concepts requires extensive structural analyses. An example for this is the development of extremely durable and deformable steels using the “Quenching and Partitioning” (Q&P) heat treatment. The aim is to achieve a balanced ratio of dispersed austenite islands in a martensitic matrix to achieve maximum strength at a moderate deformability. There is a wide range of different procedures for the microstructure characterization and phase quantification. Color etchings present an efficient alternative to time-consuming electron-microscopic examinations via EBSD. In the present work, comparative examinations regarding the reliability of light-optical analyses via color etching were carried out. It was shown that process-related factors might lead to significant misinterpreations. Especially the production conditions of the raw material are an essential influencing factor regarding the etching behaviour und thus the interpretation of the micrographs.