Extraction replica method from thinned transmission electron microscopy samples without floating off carbon films: A case study on reduced activation steel

A recipe for producing carbon extraction replicas from twin-jet electropolished disks is described. This technique allows tracking the analysed region with respect to the bulk sample. An example use of the method as applied to a reduced activation ferritic martensitic (RAFM) steel, 'UK-RAFM', is reported. The RAFM steel described originates from a ∼5 tonne heat produced via electric-arc furnace (EAF) and was intended to match Eurofer-97 in chemistry. Here, a detailed analysis of the precipitates within the UK-RAFM is provided, with particular emphasis to show the variability in chemistry of second-phase precipitates (SPPs). Comparisons to literature reported compositions of Eurofer-97 SPPs indicate they are in reasonable agreement; comparisons are also made against thermodynamic models.