The Effect of Sample Preparation on the Microstructure of Austenitic-Ferritic Stainless Steel

Abstract

Sample preparation of metastable austenitic-ferritic steels can have a significant effect on the apparent microstructure due to the transformation of austenite to martensite (γ - α'). As a result, these steels often have a complex microstructure with ferrite and martensite, which have relatively similar crystal structures, making it very difficult to analyse. However, the quantitative analysis of such microstructures and the effect of the sample preparation are very important for the further study of the steel. In this research, the effect of sample preparation in metastable austenitic-ferritic stainless steel was studied by using three different sample preparation methods. In addition to conventional mechanical etching with colloidical silica and electropolishing, focused ion beam (FIB) milling was used to create an optimal sample surface to be further analysed with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Micrographs were obtained from each sample before and after sample preparation using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), and the microstructure was analysed using EBSD. The surface flatness required for good EBSD analysis was significantly better using FIB milling than mechanical polishing, while electropolishing results in the greatest topography and an arched sample surface. The amount of martensite was found to be dependent on the sample preparation: least martensite was formed during electropolishing, while surprisingly mechanical polishing and FIB milling resulted in equal amounts of martensite.