P.D.P.L.
Karunarathne DMU ID: P2733831 Module: ENGD3114_S2122_129 Emerging Materials and Processes

Abstract— the world is developing very fast, so the
manufactures also think about innovations .automobile sector
is also doing new research and developments to upgrade their
technology.in this experiment we doing innovating for reduce
the fuel-consumption .materials used for automotive
applications should be lighter and they should have a higher
strength-to-weight ratio. Then it will affect the fuel
efficiency of the vehicles. In that case, we should design a
new steel with good properties than the existing steel. The
properties of this new material are observed by using
Scanning Electron Microscopy. Because SEM is the main
technique of material properties identification. SEM is a
surface imaging method. In that case, we can identify the
morphology, topography, and composition of any material.
So using this method, we can get a proper idea of the
material properties. The properties of a material are directly
connected with design accuracy. If we do a mechanical
engineering design, we can observe our material's properties
using SEM. then we can get an idea about our design. It
regards to accuracy, lifetime, etc. of the design .because we
can see our material's ductility, elasticity, and surface
structure. That's how SEM affects mechanical engineering.
Using the SEM we can investigate Of Nanomaterials,
Nanofibers, and Nanotubes. These are affected by the
modern revolution of mechanical engineering. In this report,
we investigate new steel and the behavior of the properties
seen by using SEM, and here also this report consists of a
whole sample analyzing procedure of the SEM analysis.
Keywords— SEM- Scanning Electron Microscopy.
I. . INTRODUCTION
In this experiment, we designed a new high-strength steel for
automotive applications. We can design this new steel
according to our requirement of material properties such as a
high strength-to-weight ratio, in this case, we can reduce the
vehicle's weight so it helps to reduce fuel consumption of the
vehicle. So the new steel's material properties are greater
than the traditional steel. But in this case, we need to clarify
whether the new steel's mechanical and physical properties
are better than the traditional steel. That’s why we doing this
experiment and conforming to it.in this steel's structural [1]
Characterization and mechanical properties are analyzed by
using scanning electron microscopy. SEM gives high-
The Resolution, three–dimensional images. Also gives the
Topographical, morphological and compositional
details .SEM
Can operate easily that who can have proper training because
it regards advanced computer technology and user-friendly
software. This SEM gives analytical results in a few minutes.
So this works fast. And also gives the results in digital form.
One of the main advantages of this is minimal sample

1
preparation actions because all samples must be prepared
before being placed in a vacuum chamber.
Also, the SEM has some limitations too. SEMs are very
expensive and the size is large. So in this case we need a
large area for doing experiments using SEMs. SEM should
need a steady voltage it needs a circulation cooling
system .also require to operate SEM and as well as prepare
samples .because if the sample is not accurately prepared the
results will be low accuracy. SEMs are limited to solids. Also
when experimenting using this the operator is exposed to
radiation. [2]
Keeping those limitations in the mind, we do the Experiment
using SEM. steps of the SEM analysis are discussed in this
report. In the SEM analyzing sample preparation is the most
important key role it also consists of this report. Also here we
consider some parameters taken from the energy-dispersive
X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).EDS is used to analyze the
composition of the steel. The data of EDS showed that the
steel is composed mixture of several elements .those Iron,
carbon, and manganese .then we can check have desired
properties of our new steel. [3]
II. . LITERATURE STUDY
High-strength steel lightweight automotive applications
should be high safety factors. Those materials should have
good weldability, formability, and good mechanical
properties.
Considering the surface imaging techniques, SEM is the
better option .because SEM is a better high electron
microscopy technique.it is providing more information about
Nanoscale samples on a very fine scale. Also, this method
can monitor the size, size distribution, formation, and
morphology of the samples. This is commonly used for the
study of surface structure. It can give details of any polished
or rough subsurface sample. The details images give the
SEM considerable field depth and high resolution. Using
these images we can investigate, the composition,
crystallography, and topography of the surface. That's why
we choose the SEM for our experiment.
Some other methods have to study the microstructure and
properties of the high-strength steels. Transmission electron
microscope (TEM) is another method besides SEM. this is
also used to get highly magnified images.in here use a
particle beam of electrons to visualize specimens and get the
images. SEM creates images by detecting electrons, but the
TEM uses transmitted electrons to create the images. TEM
offers the details of the inner structure of the sample but the
SEM gives the sample surface and its composition details.
Also, SEM gives 3D images and TEM gives 2D images. [4]
Another method to study the microstructure is X-ray
diffraction (XRD).this is used to measure the average spacing
between atoms structures or find the crystal structure of the
unknown material and measure the size or shape, and stress
P.D.P.L.Karunarathne DMU ID: P2733831 Module: ENGD3114_S2122_129 Emerging Materials and Processes
of small regions. The results give a graphical form so we
need to calculate the angles and distances between the atoms.
This can be used for bulk materials as well as in thin film
form. [5]
Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) is also another
method. It gives the chemical characterization analysis of the
material.in here measures the number of emitted X-rays
versus their energy. [6]
Comparing the above methods the SEM is the best option for
characterizing the microstructure and properties of high-
strength steel. TEM gives the inner structure details of the
material. XRD gives the atom structure details.in this case,
most importantly we need the details about the surface of the
material because we can get a proper idea about the new steel
that we design for our purpose of automobile application.
The surface details give only SEM analyzing method, and it
gives information very short time and gives a digital 3D
representation. That's why SEM is called a better option for
this experiment
III. METHODOLOGY
As the first thing, steel preparation should be done. The steel
sample was polished using the diamond paste to remove any
surface roughness or scratches on the steel. After the polished
samples were etched with an acidic solution to reveal the
microstructure and morphology of the steel. The etched
samples were then coated with a thin layer of gold to provide
conductivity and enhance image quality.as the last step the
coated samples were then mounted on SEM stubs using
conductive adhesive and transferred to the SEM chamber for
imaging. Then the SEM's electron beam interacts with X-
rays at different depths to verify the atoms. The
backscattered atom’s intensity contains the information that
is reflected through the atoms in the sample. X-ray were
emitted when the electron beam interacted-ray’s wavelengths
are measured by using EDS. those lengths are given
information about the distribution elements of the sample.
The clear image of the sample is given by the absorbed
electron beams.so both analysis gives information about our
steel sample. That information are various types of defects,
size range, and density also it gives information morphology,
and the chemical composition percentages.
IV. RESULTS and DISCUSSION
Table 1: Morphology and composition of phases
Phase Morphology Chemical
Composition
Martensite Needle-shaped 0.6% C,1.5% Mn,0.3%
Si
Ferrite Equiaxed 0.2% C, 0.8% Mn,
0.4% Si
Pearlite Lamellar 0.3% C, 1.2% Mn,
2
0.2% Si
Table 2: Distribution of Defects.
Type of Defect Range Density
(μm) (defects/mm 2)
Voids 1-5 100
Cracks 10-50 20
Inclusions 5-20 50
After the testing we received some results. Table 1 and table
2 showed those results. Table 1 gives the results of different
phases, and its morphology of the steel sample. Also it gives
the details about the chemical composition percentages.
Martensite is the first result of the composition. Its
morphology is needle-sharped, and also it contains 0.6%
Carbon, 1.5% Manganese, and 0.3 Silicon. Ferrite is the
second composition phase. Which morphology is Equiaxed,
and it contains 0.2% Carbon, 0.8% Manganese, and 0.4%
Silicon. Third composition phase is Perlite, and it’s
morphology is Lamellar.it consist 0.3% Carbon, 1.2%
Manganese, and 0.2 Silicon. Considering the results we can
observe Martensite has the high rate of carbon compared with
other composition phases. Carbon gives the high strength to
the steel. Generally Martensite has 0.9%-1.0% Carbon
percentage.in here we can see the Carbon percentage is lower
than general. Martensite shape is close to needle shape.
Manganese increased the hardenability and the tensile
strength of steel. Also Manganese is used to boost the rate of
carbon percentage. Martensite consist with 1.5% of
Manganese.it also a higher Manganese value comparing with
other phases.in here Silicon also consist 0.2%.it regards to
minimize defects and damages of the steel.
Morphology of the Ferrite is identified as Equiaxed.in here
contains 0.2% of Carbon, but it is not much as Martensite.
Manganese has 0.8%, so this gives hard ability to the Ferrite.
Silicon contains 0.4%.This also controlled the defects and
damages.
Pearlite morphology is known as lamellar, and it has 0.3%
carbon, pearlite’s Carbon contain is a little higher than that
Ferrite. Manganese contains 1.2% this is higher value than
Martensite.so perlite also has good hardness, but not much
like the Martensite.
Table 2 gives details about types of the defects and size range
and density. From the result we can found three types of
defects. Those are voids, cracks and inclusions. These are
affected to the lifetime and strengthen of the steel. Voids
rang is 1-5µm and density of the void is 100
(defects/mm 2).Size range of crack is 10-50 µm and density of
crack is 20 (defects/mm 2)
Size range of the inclusions is 5-20 µm and density of
inclusions is 50 (defects/mm 2).
P.D.P.L.Karunarathne DMU ID: P2733831 Module: ENGD3114_S2122_129 Emerging Materials and Processes 3

Range of defects and density of the defect is important

parameters to consider the number of defects. The results
show the three types of defects and they formed by ductile
fracture.
VI. References

V. CONCLUTION [1] SCHMITT, J. H., & IUNG, T. (2018). NEW DEVELOPMENTS

OF ADVANCED HIGH-STRENGTH STEELS FOR AUTOMOTIVE
Considering the analyzed results and the literature study APPLICATIONS. COMPTES RENDUS PHYSIQUE , 19(8), 641-656.
determined several factors. Shape, size, and distribution
elements of each phase. Here we consider high-strength steel. HTTPS://WWW.SCIENCEDIRECT.COM/SCIENCE/ARTICLE/PII/
High-strength steel is the most valuable topic in automotive S1631070518301166
applications .this high-strength steel cause to efficiency,
emissions, high-level of safety, comfortability, durability,
[2] SMITH, K. C. A., & OATLEY, C. W. (1955). THE
and quality. Also, this can be designed at a low cost. The
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE AND ITS FIELDS OF
main application of the automobile is the vehicle's body
APPLICATION. BRITISH JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS, 6(11),
structure.
391.
When talking about steel, the temperature is a major factor,
but in this experiment, we did not have any parameters about HTTPS://IOPSCIENCE.IOP.ORG/ARTICLE/10.1088/0508-
the temperature. So we can suggest in the future we must 3443/6/11/304/META
consider temperature with the composite range. Also, tensile
strength and elongation should be considered. Ultra High [3] SHINDO, D., OIKAWA, T., SHINDO, D., & OIKAWA, T.
Strength steel's tensile strength is much higher than steel. (2002). ENERGY DISPERSIVE X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY.
. ANALYTICAL ELECTRON MICROSCOPY FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE,
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[4] Williams, D. B., Carter, C. B., Williams, D. B.,

& Carter, C. B. (1996). The transmission electron
microscope (pp. 3-17). Springer Us.
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-
4757-2519-3_1

[5] Epp, J. (2016). X-ray diffraction (XRD)

techniques for materials characterization. In
Materials characterization using nondestructive
evaluation (NDE) methods (pp. 81-124). Woodhead
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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/
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[6] Shindo, D., Oikawa, T., Shindo, D., & Oikawa,

T. (2002). Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy.
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https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-4-
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P.D.P.L.Karunarathne DMU ID: P2733831 Module: ENGD3114_S2122_129 Emerging Materials and Processes 4