Search Contact information
University of Cambridge Home Department of Engineering
University of Cambridge >  Engineering Department >  Photo competition

Owlstone Photography Competition at the Department of Engineering 2007 entries

Athina Markaki & T.W. Clyne: 'Surface Steps on a Stainless Steel Fibre'
Athina Markaki & T.W. Clyne: 'Surface Steps on a Stainless Steel Fibre'

Athina Markaki & T.W. Clyne
'Surface Steps on a Stainless Steel Fibre'

Scanning electron microgragh of surface steps on a ferritic stainless steel (446) fibre, after holding for several hours at 1250 C in a reducing atmosphere. The particles (artificially coloured purple here) are Cr23C6 carbides. The steps arise from preferential exposure of low energy planes, in the absence of a surface oxide. The carbide particles, which are mostly located at grain boundaries, inhibit grain growth and also influence the local topography of the step structure.
© Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge
Information provided by web-editor