In situ investigation of production processes in a large chamber scanning electron microscope.

A large-chamber scanning electron microscope (LC-SEM) provides an ideal platform for the installation of large-scale in situ experiments. Our LC-SEM has internal chamber dimensions of 1,2 × 1,3 × 1,4 m3 (W × H × D) (Fig.1) and makes it possible to incorporate novel in situ experimental devices, which are reported on here. The present manuscript describes in detail the development of in situ test equipment for the study of a broad range of processes in production engineering. Direct observation of the materials modification mechanisms provides fundamental insight into the underlying process characteristics. An in situ turning device was developed, tested and used to observe the chip formation on the microstructure scale of a 43CrMo4-sample. Laser beam micro welding was integrated into the LC-SEM to achieve in situ analysis of the welding process on stainless steel 1.4310. A heating module was employed for in situ wetting experiments to observe the formation and solidification of the melt of a tin-copper brazing filler on an aluminium cast alloy.