Material characterization and analysis with the Prisma E SEM

The Thermo Scientific Prisma E SEM combines high-resolution imaging with detailed elemental analysis to help you better understand your materials. From identifying contaminants introduced during manufacturing to investigating the cause of material failures, it can help you streamline your workflows and improve your products faster.


Revealing the complexity of steel inclusion formation

Steelmaking is a highly oxidizing process, causing the formation of inclusions, ranging from 25 µm to 250 µm. Deoxidation by metallic Mn, Si, or Al removes much of the dissolved oxygen, and the proper identification of the residuals is key to optimizing the production process.

 

Traditional scanning electron microscope (SEM) workflows are time-intensive and lack seamless integration for elemental analysis. Thermo Scientific ColorSEM Technology streamlines inclusion analysis using an integrated SEM and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) workflow.

 

This approach automates elemental identification via color-coded imaging and eliminates the need for separate setups. Techniques like linescans and point analyses provide detailed composition insights, enhancing efficiency. The solution aids in identifying root causes of defects, ensuring precise steel quality control and production optimization.

ESEM and EDS analysis of steel inclusions such as aluminum, calcium, and magnesium

Efficient characterization of glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRP)

Glass fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRPs) are integral to industries requiring lightweight, durable, and strong materials. Combining glass fibers with polymer matrices enhances properties like thermal and chemical resistance, tensile strength, and elasticity. However, contamination during manufacturing or usage can degrade their performance, causing electrical insulation failure, mechanical breakdowns, and reduced chemical resistance.

GFRP analysis with ESEM and EDS analysis enhances defect and contaminant detection

Traditional SEM-EDS techniques for analyzing GFRPs are inefficient, as they require manual setup and multiple user interfaces. The Prisma E SEM, with ColorSEM Technology, addresses these issues by integrating chemical mapping directly into imaging workflows. The integration of imaging and EDS analyses boosts defect and contaminant analysis, enhances chemical detail visualization, and helps to identify contaminants even below polymer surfaces.


Improving the efficiency of tire filler failure analysis with advanced characterization

Tire manufacturing faces challenges with filler material dispersion, which is crucial for performance and failure prevention. Proper characterization and distribution analysis of fillers like carbon black and zinc oxide are essential but inefficient and costly.

The Prisma E SEM offers an advanced solution through live quantitative elemental mapping, integrating SEM and EDS for real-time, precise analysis. This technology simplifies the identification and distribution of fillers. The analysis workflow includes backscattered electron imaging and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, providing detailed compositional insights and facilitating a complete characterization of the materials.

Real-time, precise tire filler identification and elemental distribution with ESEM and EDS analysis.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.