NANOCRYSTALLINE AL INVESTIGATED BY TRANSMISSION ELECTRON-MICROSCOPE

Nanocrystalline aluminium (n-Al), prepared by mechanical attrition in an inert atmosphere and in form of cold consolidated bars, has been in vestigated by transmission electron microscopy. The effects of three f inal thinning techniques of preparation for TEM, ion-milling, electroc hemical jet-polishing and ''powders'', have been compared. The most re presentative samples prove to be those prepared by putting some powder on a carbon film coated grid. Information about the grain sizes for s amples prepared by the different techniques and samples before and aft er a thermal treatment (500 K) has been obtained. We have also reporte d our high-resolution images of interfaces.