Technique for preparing cross-section transmission electron microscopy specimens from ceramic oxide braze joints.

A method for preparing cross-section transmission electron microscopy specimens from alumina and partially stabilized zirconia braze joints is described. The technique relies on masking a mechanically dimpled 3-mm disc in order to avoid preferential thinning of the metallic braze filler alloy during ion milling. The results presented show that specimens made by this technique are suitable for characterizing the fine microstructural details of interfacial reactions at oxide surfaces that occur during brazing.