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A material sample from an AM 17-4 PH stainless steel specimen (previously tested in low-cycle fatigue) was prepared and tested using the protocol described, to understand the fundamental material behavior of AM metals (independent of structural defect influence). Typical sample volumes used for material characterization can contain distributed fabrication/structural defects that make discerning between actual material behavior and structural fabrication effects difficult. Following the protocol described in sections 2 through 6 a micro specimen was fabricated and tested to failure in tension, successfully demonstrating the described techniques and producing material test data at scales free from volumetric defect influences. Prior to micro-mechanical testing, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra from the prepared steel surface (see Figure 13), show a mostly martensitic grain structure as would be expected from a previously strained material10.
Figure 14 shows the resulting load-displacement behavior of the micro-tensile AM 17-4PH steel sample, having a maximum tensile strength of 3,145 µN at a displacement of 418 nm. From in situ SEM observations during loading, fracture of the micro-specimen occurred along a single slip plane (typical of a ductile single crystal failure) and different from typical post-yield strain hardening behavior observed during macro-scale material tension testing of AM 17-4PH stainless steels. Frames 4-6 of Figure 14 show the single failure slip plane during tension testing of the fabricated micro specimen.

Figure 1: Bulk material where the sample was taken from. The material sample for micro-mechanical testing (~6 mm in thickness) was cut from the gage section of an AM 17-4 PH fatigue specimen. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 2: Material section having an array of squares (70 µm x 70 µm) patterned using photolithography. The 70 µm x 70 µm photoresist array allows for selective etching of the steel surface for bulk surface material removal. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 3: SEM images of the AM 17-4PH steel surface following etching. Surface high-relief locations created by the protective photoresist pattern following etching allow micro-specimen fabrication above the specimen surface elevation. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 4: Sample holder set-up that helps the direct contact of the sample once the micro-tensile specimen is fabricated. The etched AM 17-4 PH sample is placed on the nanoindentation device stub before being mounted to a 45-degree SEM stub (using carbon tape) to reducing handling of the specimen after micro-specimen fabrication. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 5: Illustration of first FIB milling step with area to be removed by FIB (left), and remaining material (right). The surface high-relief material remaining after etching is removed using FIB milling, leaving a rectangular volume of material. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 6: Illustration of second FIB milling step. The rectangular volume of material is further reduced using FIB milling, approaching the desired specimen outer dimension tolerances. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 7: Illustration of third FIB milling step. The remaining material volume is refined using FIB milling to the desired specimen outer dimension tolerances. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 8: SEM image of a micro-tensile sample. Using FIB milling, the profile of the remaining material volume is reduced to create the final micro-tensile specimen geometry. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 9: Micro-tensile specimen dimensions. Between the specimen grip areas, a reduced cross-sectional dimension measuring 1 μm by 1 μm is located within a 4μm gauge length. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 10: Alignment marks performed in the tip for reference. A semi-circular edge hole and circumferential scribe mark provide two sources of indenter tip alignment prior to fabrication of the tensile grip. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 11: Sequential tensile grip fabrication steps. (A) Formation of tensile grip outer profile using FIB milling. (B) Reduction in tensile grip thickness following 90° rotation. (C) Formation of tensile grip inner profile from original orientation. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 12: Grip and sample aligned to perform the tensile test. The fabricated tensile grip is positioned around the micro-tensile specimen such that an upward movement of the tensile grip will engage with the specimen. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 13: XRD spectra of tested sample. Shown is the relationship between X-ray scatter intensity and sample angle. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 14: Tensile load-displacement curve of AM 17-4 PH Steel. (Top) Frame-by-frame progression of applied specimen displacement. (Bottom) Resulting sample behavior comparing measured load (in μN of force) and applied displacement (in nm), indicating a material ultimate strength of 3,145 μN at an applied displacement of 418 nm. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
| Process | Details | Time (s) |
| Acceleration | From 0 to 500 rpm at 100 rpm/s | 5 |
| Spin | 500 rpms | 5 |
| Acceleration | From 500 rpm to 3,000 rpm at 500 rpm/s | 5 |
| Spin | 3,000 rpm | 25 |
Table 1: Parameters used for the spin-coating. Process steps are to be performed consecutively.
| FeCl3 (wt%) | HCl (wt%) | HNO3 (wt%) |
| 10 | 10 | 5 |
Table 2: Chemical composition of the etchant used for AM 17-4PH Stainless Steel9. All solution chemical quantities are listed as percentage by weight.