Thermal etching on aluminium single crystals

Abstract
Small tops have been observed to form on electropolished surfaces of aluminium single crystals at about 400°c during heating of the specimen. The formation of tops seems to be very dependent on the heating rate. During cooling from elevated temperatures small pits are observed to form. The form of the pits has been studied on the {100}, {110}, {111} and {112} planes. The pits are bounded by {111}, {100} and {110} planes. A minimum temperature drop is required for pits to form, but as the temperature drops more pits are formed. The density of pits also increases with increasing cooling rates. The purity does not seem to have a marked effect on the formation of pits. Very few pits are formed if the experiments are carried out at pressures of about 10−3 mm Hg.

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