SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY WITH ENERGY
DISPERSIVE X-RAY ANALYSIS (SEM-EDX)
The SEM lab uses an AMRAY 1600 Turbo SEM with
a TRACOR energy dispersive detector and state of the art digital data and
image processing software. Secondary and backscattered electron imaging
capability produces high magnification images based on structural or
compositional contrast. The images can be paired with elemental maps
showing the spatial distribution of up to 64 elements. EDX analysis also
determines the elemental composition of the various microstructural
components.
SEM Image of Chromite-Magnetite in Geothite |
Pin Point EDX Analysis
| Pos. ID |
Weight
%
|
|
Al2O3
|
SiO2
|
Cr2O3
|
MnO
|
Fe2O3
|
|
1
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
2.1
|
3.6
|
94.3
|
|
2
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
4.1
|
0.7
|
95.2
|
|
3
|
0.4
|
0.0
|
25.2
|
2.9
|
71.5
|
|
4
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
6.0
|
0.5
|
93.5
|
|
5
|
0.2
|
0.0
|
23.8
|
2.7
|
73.3
|
|
6
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
10.4
|
1.1
|
88.5
|
|
7
|
10.1
|
10.1
|
1.1
|
0.6
|
78.0
|
|
8
|
14.0
|
8.1
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
75.9
|
|
9
|
12.2
|
9.8
|
1.2
|
1.3
|
75.5
|
|
|
|
SEM
Image and EDX Dot Map
Dot map showing the
distribution of iron (red) zinc (green) and calcium (blue) in a
section of galvanized rebar in a concrete form.
|
|
SEM Image
and EDX Line Scan of Refractory Lining and Alloy of Reactor
|
Problem
Failure
of the refractory lining (mullite) of a molten metal reactor.
Analysis
The
SEM linescan shows that the Sn metal is dissolving the Si from the
aluminum silicate refractory. The iron binds with the liberated
aluminum to form an iron spinel.
Solution
100%
Alumina refractory was chosen as the preferred reactor lining.
|
SEM
Image of Battery Paste
|
This 500x image shows the level of
crystallization of battery paste in a lead acid battery.
EDX
Analysis of Battery Paste
|
|
|
SEM
Image of Stainless Steel Corrosion Pit
|
EDX
Analysis of Corrosion Pit
|
S
|
3.8%
|
|
Cl
|
1.1%
|
|
Cr
|
3.4%
|
|
Fe
|
89.5%
|
|
Zn
|
2.1%
|
|
Problem
Stainless
steel pipe experiencing unexpected failure.
|
Analysis
Characteristic
localized deep pitting with Cl contamination.
|
Solution
Change
application or specify different pipe.
|
|
|
 |
SEM
Images of Copper Ore
|
|
.
|
Problem
Rate
of leaching of Cu from ore peaked and declined before expected
recovery was achieved
|
Analysis
SEM
analysis of particles showed the leach product was forming a
protective coating on the ore particles.
|
Solution
Agitation
of particles in leach solution.
|
|
