On the application of Xe+ plasma FIB for micro-fabrication of small-scale tensile specimens

In order to perform site-specific mechanical studies to examine the contribution or interaction of a material constituent, a reliable methodology for the production of small-scale samples is required. With the high milling rates achievable with the newly developed Xe+ plasma FIB (PFIB), it is now possible to manufacture specimens approaching the smallest representative volume (SRV). In this study, a methodology has been developed that allows for the manufacture of mesoscale specimens approaching SRV to be tested in tension. It is demonstrated that yield and tensile strength measured in specimens of this scale are representative of bulk behaviour, of the properties measured the strain hardening exponent was found to be dependent on scale.