In situ SEM imaging at temperatures as high as 1450 degrees C.

Modifications to a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a commercially available heating stage permits in situ imaging at temperatures as high as 1450 degrees C. Here we report on the technical modifications necessary to allow such high-temperature in situ imaging. In addition, in order to underline the potential of this technique in the field of materials science, three heating-stage experiments are presented, which reveal microstructural changes occurring at high temperature. The respective in situ experiments are: (i) surface crystallization of a cordierite glass at 1050 degrees C; (ii) thermal recovery of asbestos (chrysotile) fibers at 1250 degrees C; and (iii) residual pore-structure evolution of tricalcium phosphate during sintering at 1450 degrees C.