SCANNING-TUNNELING-MICROSCOPY STUDY OF PRECIPITATES IN A MICROALLOYEDSTEEL

We have started to use a scanning tunneling microscope in a rather unc onventional way in which we do not use its ultimate atomic but nanomet ric resolution and the advantage of easy sample preparation as compare d with carbon replica transmission electron microscopy. In this articl e metallographic sample preparation methods are studied to find a reli able method for detecting carbonitride precipitations in a microalloye d high-strength, low-alloy steel. Scanning tunneling microscopy pictur es are compared with those obtained by the carbon replica transmission electron microscopy method, and the differences are discussed.