Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
As a preliminary step to detailed study of the interfaces in SiC particulatereinforced Al alloys, a number of methods of sample preparation have been explored; the resultant artefacts on the thinned foils observed in transmission electron microscopes are discussed and improvements to the preparation procedures are suggested. Initial observations of the microstructure of two alloys differing significantly in their matrix silicon content are presented.