| Abstract Scope |
Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS)is a powerful tool for the characterization of microstructure and microstructural changes during processing of engineering materials such as alloys, natural stones, ceramics, cements, and composites, probing length scales ranging from about 0.5 to 500nm. Neutrons provide important complementary information to electron microscopy and small-angle x-ray scattering owing to their high penetration, sensitivity to isotope and especially hydrogen isotopes, variability of contrast between transition metals nearby on the periodic table, and sensitivity to magnetic ordering. This talk will focus on how SANS has been applied to alloy systems, showing examples of structural and magnetic changes during in-situ heat treatment and tensile testing and ex-situ studies of structural changes across welds. New visualization techniques that can improve experimental understanding will be introduced. The suite of SANS instruments at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be described, together with planned instrumental improvements to better serve the engineering materials community. |