Analyses of Strength, Heat Treatment,
and Processing and Welding of Metallic Materials and Steel Materials

Structure, Crystalline Particle, Texture, Dislocation, Residual Stress

JFE-TEC's micro- to macro-scale observations of the metal structure reflect the strength of the metal and the fracture surface of broken metal (fractography), observation of crystalline particles, intercrystalline interface, alloy phases, dislocations, and microstructures inside crystalline particles using electron microscopy (EM), energy dispersion-type X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX, EPMA) using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion-type X-ray analysis/electron energy loss spectroscopy (TEM-EDX/EELS) using transmission electron microscopy, and element analysis using surface analysis method.

We also evaluate the texture and orientation using the X-ray diffraction method (XRD) and electron backscatter diffraction method (EBSD) and conduct quantitative evaluation of the residual austenite phase.

• Morphological observation

  • Metal structure observation (micro/macro observation)
  • Fracture surface analysis
  • Observation of precipitate in high alloy steel using TEM
  • Etching-less observation of martensitic structure using ultra low voltage scanning electron microscopy (ULV-SEM)
  • Analysis of steel material having gone through fatigue test: fracture surface observation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
  • Precipitation behavior observation of precipitate (intermetallic compound, non-metallic precipitate) of metals, such as high alloy steel and heat-resistant steel using TEM

• Elementary analysis

  • Concentration distribution of chrome (Cr)-depleted layer in sensitized stainless steel
  • Analysis of stainless steel passive film using Cs corrector STEM-EDX/EELS ^* Cs corrector STEM: transmission electron microscopy with Cs corrector

• Crystalline structure analysis

  • Analysis of steel material having gone through fatigue test: EBSD strain distribution
  • Distribution of residual austenite in steel: EBSD phase distribution pattern
  • Residual stress measurement using XRD
  • Evaluation of rolled texture using XRD pole figure method
  • Quantitative evaluation of austenite in steel using XRD

Precipitate/Inclusion

JFE-TEC conducts macro- to nano-scale observations and analyses of precipitates and inclusions that may cause strength increases or strength decreases.

• Morphological observation

  • Observation of precipitate in high alloy steel using TEM
  • Distribution of fine precipitates dispersed in lead (Pb)-free free-cutting steel
  • Observation of coherently precipitated metallic compound in Ni-based alloy using - Cs corrector STEM
  • Phase-based quantitative observation of precipitate in heat-resistant steel
  • Precipitation behavior evaluation at welded portion
  • Particle size analysis of inclusion in steel and powder

• Element analysis

  • Distribution of fine precipitate dispersed in lead (Pb)-free free-cutting steel
  • Precipitate-based particle size distribution of precipitates in steel
  • Precipitate distribution in wide area

• Crystalline structure analysis

  • Crystalline orientation observation and analysis of boron nitride crystalline particle
  • Phase-based quantitative observation of precipitate in heat-resistant steel
  • Phase-based quantitative observation of precipitate

Intercrystalline Interface, Intercrystalline Segregation/concentration, Intercrystalline Interface-depleted Layer

We conduct macro- to nano-scale observations and analyses of the intercrystalline interface that may cause strength increases or strength decreases.

• Morphological observation

  • Metal structure observation (micro/macro observation)
  • Intercrystalline interface observation using Cs corrector STEM, TEM and SEM
  • Analysis of intercrystalline interface precipitate using SEM and TEM

• Element analysis

  • Concentration distribution of chrome (Cr)-depleted layer in sensitized stainless steel
  • Mapping analysis of boron intercrystalline segregation in steel material
  • Analysis of phosphorus intercrystalline segregation in steel material
  • Analysis of intercrystalline segregation/concentration element using Cs corrector STEM-EDX/EELS
  • Analysis of stainless steel passive film using Cs corrector STEM-EDX/EELS

• Crystalline structure analysis

  • Crystalline orientation analysis using EBSD

Composition

We analyze the main components and minor components of high strength parts.

• Chemical analysis

  • Main component analysis
  • Minor element analysis, gas component analysis
  • Phase-based precipitate analysis