Abstract
Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) such as Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) and Atomic Force Microscope (AEM) was shown to be the powerful tool for nano-scale characterization of material surfaces. Using this technique, surface morphology of the cyclically deformed Cu or Cu-Al single crystal was observed. The surface became proportionately rough as the number of cycles increased, but after some number of cycles no further change was observed. Slip steps with the heights of 100 to 200 nm and the widths of 1000 to 2000 nm were prevailing at the stage. The slipped distance of one slip system at the surface was not uniform, and formation of the extrusions or intrusions was assumed to occur such place. By comparing the morphological change caused by crystallographic orientation, strain amplitude, number of cycles or stacking fault energy, some interesting results which help to clarify the basic mechanism of fatigue damage were obtained. Furthermore, applicability of the scanning tunneling microscopy to fatigue damage is discussed.