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A Polishing-Free Etching Method for Microstructure Observation of Fine-Grained Ceramics
M. Liu1,2,3, J. Zhao2, S. Shimai2, J. Zhang1,2,4, H. Chen2,2,3, D. Han2, J. Liu2, S. Wang1,2
1 State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China.
2 Key Laboratory of Transparent Opto-functional Inorganic Materials, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201899, China.
3 University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
4 Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
received November 19, 2020, received in revised form February 2, 2021, accepted February 6, 2021
Vol. 12, No. 1, Pages 59-62 DOI: 10.4416/JCST2020-00024
Abstract
Microstructural studies are very important because of their decisive role in the properties of advanced ceramics. During the sample preparation process, it is critical to grind, polish, and etch the fracture surface of the ceramic for effective microstructure observation. Here, a sample preparation process is proposed based on direct etching of the fracture surface of the ceramic without the time-consuming grinding and polishing. We used this method to create micrographs for MgAl2O4, Al2O3, and ZrO2 ceramics with an average grain size less than 1 μm; these were clearly resolved by SEM. More importantly, the damage resulting from grinding or polishing is minimized, and SEM images taken of samples prepared with this method are closer to the original morphology of the microstructures. This method also greatly simplifies the sample preparation process and is especially suitable for fine-grained ceramics.
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Keywords
Fracture surface, ceramics, etching, SEM
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