title: Comparison between magnetic force microscopy and electron back-scatter diffraction for ferrite quantification in type 321 stainless steel.
abstract: Several analytical techniques that are currently available can be used to determine the spatial distribution and amount of austenite, ferrite and precipitate phases in steels. The application of magnetic force microscopy, in particular, to study the local microstructure of stainless steels is beneficial due to the selectivity of this technique for detection of ferromagnetic phases. In the comparison of Magnetic Force Microscopy and Electron Back-Scatter Diffraction for the morphological mapping and quantification of ferrite, the degree of sub-surface measurement has been found to be critical. Through the use of surface shielding, it has been possible to show that Magnetic Force Microscopy has a measurement depth of 105-140 nm. A comparison of the two techniques together with the depth of measurement capabilities are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1FD, UK. Electronic address: Xander.Warren@bristol.ac.uk.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1 TS, UK.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Harniman
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1 TS, UK; Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, Nanoscience and Quantum Information Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1FD, UK.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1 TS, UK.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1FD, UK.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Younes
authors.affiliation: Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1FD, UK; School of Physics, HH Wills Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1FD, UK.
authors.forename: P E J
authors.initials: PEJ
authors.lastname: Flewitt
authors.affiliation: Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1FD, UK.
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Scott
keywords: Austenite; Electron backscatter diffraction; Ferrite; Magnetic force microscopy; Type 321 stainless steel