SEM-EDS opinion

[GTLA]

Hello! I am getting new in the metallurgy technical details, and I have some doubts in the SEM and EDS. I am considering the EDS SpectroMax, did somebody have used it? Is it better the SpectroLab model?
In the EDS, im considering the Zess, Hitachi, FEI and Jeol. Do you have some experience with them, good service-support-performance? What is the difference in work and results with a SEM and a FE-SEM?
Thanks.

 

[CoryPad]

See this previous thread:

thread330-212783

How good the service is depends on your location.

A Field Effect electron source provides higher resolution than a standard electron source. Unless you are doing cutting edge research at a university or billion dollar corporation, you likely won't benefit from a FE source.

 

[GTLA]

Ok, thanks for the answer.
Thats what i have read about the FE-SEM, but i did not know that costs difference were so high... looks like SEM is winning, i will review the quotes anyway.
saludos.

 

[GTLA]

I have reviewed that thread, very useful, unfourtanetely it is closed. So i will have a new question here.
I have listed as required stereomicroscope, metallurgical microscope, EDS and SEM. But, is it posible to conduct all the analysis that previous equipments allow with just a SEM? (structure, microstructure, elemental, fail analysis)?

 

[CoryPad]

No, you can't do all work on an SEM.

 

[TVP]

In order to conduct proper metallurgical failure analysis you need a stereomicroscope and a metallurgical microscope. SEM & EDS are also extremely helpful, and should be part of a new lab as soon as your budget allows. After that, there are a number of other items that may be useful, depending on the type of projects at your company and what type of equipment is already in existence. Tensile testing? Impact? X-ray Diffraction for residual stress analysis?