Nanotomography for understanding materials degradation

The combination of ultramicrotomy and low-voltage scanning electron microscopy, with selective detection of backscattered electrons, significantly improved depth and lateral resolutions and atomic number contrast (Z-contrast) sensitivity, enabling high-resolution tomography of localized corrosion. This approach has advanced the understanding of the relationship between the distribution of S-phase particles and the initiation and development of localized corrosion, and the transition to intergranular corrosion in an AA2024-T3 aluminium alloy.