RIMAPS detection of incipient damage on metallic surfaces

A new imaging technique, rotated image with maximum average power spectrum (RIMAPS), that combines digitized image rotation and Fourier transformation is used not only to obtain the main directions of pattern alignment and the characteristics of surface topography, but also for the detection of incipient damage on metallic surfaces. Different grains of aluminum are studied to show the robustness of this technique that is able to detect different surfaces at the early stages of etching by different reagents. The results are compared with those obtained following standard metallographic procedures that require preparation of properly polished surfaces to obtain good-quality images as the basis for an adequate characterization. RIMAPS turns out to be a quick, simple, and useful tool both to detect incipient damage on metallic surfaces and to identify different surfaces.