Modern Surface Analytics
Documentation, light microscopy, element and phase analysis, metallograhpy
The Water Technology Center Karlsruhe uses several methods and tools for studying and characterizing the features of solid surfaces. Besides analyzing corrosion damages a main application field is the investigation of corrosion mechanisms. Meanwhile further applications outside the corrosion area are arising such as the characterization of sediments, filter materials or minerals.
Documentation
A surface analysis always starts with sampling and documentation. With the introduction of digital cameras it is possible to store, search and manage images and other data electronically. For this purpose the image database IM1000 of Leica-Microsystems, Wetzlar is available.
Light microscopy
Video and digital cameras may be adapted to the microscopic systems at the Water Technology Center. With the aid of these tools surfaces and components of installations are investigated and characterized at high resolution with the macroscope M420 and the metal microscope DMLM of Leica-Microsystems, Wetzlar. With the highest resolution of 500 even structures at the micrometer scale can be studied. The Leica extended-focus technology supports us in documenting surfaces at high resolution in those cases where conventional microscopes fail due to the limitations of the depth of focus. This technology also enables us to determine the structure of the surface quantitatively.
Phase and element analysis, metallograhpy
Light microscopy is an important tool to study samples with different geometries (pipes, powder, metallographic cross sections) and to prepare further studies by X-ray diffraction. Two analytical systems are available and offer the possibility to identify the crystalline phases of powders and solid samples. The modern GADDS-technology of our Bruker-AXS micro-diffraction system opens new fields of application for high resolution-XRD. These technologies are supplemented by X-ray fluorescence element analysis of solids and liquids and by metallographic preparation techniques (cutting, grinding, polishing, etching). The evaluation of the metallographically prepared samples is supported by the Leica QWin image analysis software.
Documentation
A surface analysis always starts with sampling and documentation. With the introduction of digital cameras it is possible to store, search and manage images and other data electronically. For this purpose the image database IM1000 of Leica-Microsystems, Wetzlar is available.
Light microscopy
Video and digital cameras may be adapted to the microscopic systems at the Water Technology Center. With the aid of these tools surfaces and components of installations are investigated and characterized at high resolution with the macroscope M420 and the metal microscope DMLM of Leica-Microsystems, Wetzlar. With the highest resolution of 500 even structures at the micrometer scale can be studied. The Leica extended-focus technology supports us in documenting surfaces at high resolution in those cases where conventional microscopes fail due to the limitations of the depth of focus. This technology also enables us to determine the structure of the surface quantitatively.
Phase and element analysis, metallograhpy
Light microscopy is an important tool to study samples with different geometries (pipes, powder, metallographic cross sections) and to prepare further studies by X-ray diffraction. Two analytical systems are available and offer the possibility to identify the crystalline phases of powders and solid samples. The modern GADDS-technology of our Bruker-AXS micro-diffraction system opens new fields of application for high resolution-XRD. These technologies are supplemented by X-ray fluorescence element analysis of solids and liquids and by metallographic preparation techniques (cutting, grinding, polishing, etching). The evaluation of the metallographically prepared samples is supported by the Leica QWin image analysis software.
