New Insights into High-Throughput Screening of Mechanical Homogeneity Using Surface Microstrain and Profile Analysis After Cold Isostatic Pressing

Based on the hydrostatic transmission principle, a new method for high-throughput characterization via surface microstrain effects after cold isostatic pressing is proposed. Typical key metallic materials (steels, titanium alloys, and superalloys) were processed under a pressure of 190 MPa with a holding time of 30 min, and surface microstrain effects and characteristics of the specimens were explored via white light interference profilometry, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, focused ion beam processing, and transmission electron microscopy. It is shown that all the metallographic polishing specimens exhibit a similar tendency, and two main categories of typical microstrain fields can be detected after CIP processing: (1) slight microstrain and (2) significant microstrain. Significant microstrain with roughening of the surface (roughness increasing) after CIP processing can be detected only in a few microregions. Microregions with weaker micromechanical properties can be characterized and screened in a high-throughput manner through evaluation of the significant microstrains. A new application strategy is proposed for high-throughput characterization of mechanical homogeneity and mechanically weak zones, using the surface microstrain effect during cold isostatic pressing and surface profile analysis. Regions with significant microstrain showed surface roughening (Sq: 6.1 nm→139.7 nm, Sa: 4.8 nm→94.4 nm).