Novel automated approaches for extended in situ mechanical tests on metals and materials in the scanning electron microscope

Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and Electron Backscatter Diffraction have become
ubiquitous in characterizing new materials and alloys in the SEM. Extending these techniques
with time-resolved in situ mechanical and thermal testing, allows researchers to observe and
characterize materials' transformations at the nanoscale, in real time, with forces modelling
real-world service conditions.

Also, performing synchrotron-style in situ 3D imaging and crystallography in the X-ray
microscope through time-resolved absorption and diffraction contrast tomography allows
quantitative 4D imaging of transformations.

This work describes the evolution of strain, dislocations and crystal structure in materials
including polymers, foams, explosives, GaN, superalloy and steel. Combination of an in situ
rig, dedicated high-temperature SE, BSE, EDS and EBSD detectors and electron channelling
contrast provide comprehensive analytics of microstructural behavior of stressed samples.
Digital image correlation and automated feature tracking overcome barriers to consistent
imaging, focusing and tracking of dynamic features, enabling long unattended automated
transition studies.