SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY AND THE STUDY OF COATINGS

This paper charts the development of scanning electron microscopy and its application to the study of surfaces and surface coatings. Essenti al differences between techniques of imaging samples and the technolog y involved in producing the electron beam are explained. This leads to a consideration of the importance of preserving the integrity of any sample under investigation and methods that have been developed to ach ieve this end. An overview of the use of scanning electron microscopy in research and development work at Pilkingtons is presented.