High-resolution electron microscopy of lead and lead-calcium alloys

Abstract

There are few reports on transmission electron microscopy studies [1, 2] and no referenced work of high-resolution electron microscopy on lead and lead alloys. This is because it is difficult to prepare good thin foil specimens from lead because of its large atomic number and electrochemical stability. High-resolution electron microscopy is useful for direct study of lattice defects and the matrix/second phase interface structure. So far, transmission electron microscopy of lead alloys has been reported using the foils prepared by a microtome method [1, 2]. High-resolution electron microscopy on lead and lead-calcium alloys has been attempted successfully and, for the first time, several high-resolution electron micrographs are reported in this communication.