Stage for in-situ mechanical loading experiments in a SEM Philips 515 with small chamber

A. YAWNY, J. MALARRIA, M. SADE , E. SOUKUP

REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS

AMER INST PHYSICS

Lugar: Melville, NY; Año: 1997 vol. 68 p. 150 - 154

0034-6748

Martensitic transitions involve changes in structure which can be induced thermally as well as under applied mechanical stresses. The thermomechanicalcharacteristics of these displacive transitions are strongly affected by defects which may be introduced in the material by thermomechanical treatments as well as by the transformation itself. To better study the effects of surface defects on these phase transitions high resolution equipment is needed to follow the movement of interfaces. In this work a developed stage is presented. It allows to perform in situ mechanical tests under well controlled temperature conditions and to thermally cycle a sample under controlled stress or strain level in a scanning electron microscope (Philips 515) with small chamber. The test temperature can be easily chosen in the range from −30 to 80 °C. The stage is suitable to be used in bigger chambers of similar equipment. Thermal cycles are obtained using a Peltier thermobattery. The load and deformation are monitored by a load cell and a linear variable differential transformer, respectively. Due to the small space available in the chamber a special port was developed. This port enables the transmission of the mechanical movement generated outside the chamber, the passage of electrical signals, and other commands. Preliminary results of the stage performance obtained with Cu?Zn?Al single crystals are shown.