Table

Heating table for light microscope

The table enables observation of electrically conductive sample at elevated temperature with possibility of deformation during the observation. It was developed for observation of  thermally- and deformation-induce processes in microstructure. It is suitable mainly for in situ observation of twinning, martensitic and bainitic transformation, slip bands or crack propagation.

A metallic specimen has a form of tensile test bar with one side polished into a metalographic section. The specimen is then mounted onto a movable grips, which can deform it. They also serve as contacts for direct current which can flow through the specimen and heat it. The whole assembly of the grips and the specimen is enclosed in a chamber filled with argon gas. The microstructure observation is performed via fused silica glass.

The prototype was developed to work with the objective VH-Z250R of the KEYENCE microscope VHX-5000.

Parameters

• Heating: max. 950°C
• Heating rate: max. 100°C/s, Cooling rate: max. 50°C/s
• Maximum tension force: 3 kN
• Minimal objective working distance: 4 mm