Analysis of fractal characteristics of fractured surfaces by secondary electron line scanning

Fractal characteristics of impact-fractured surfaces at room temperature for CK45 steel under different heat treatment conditions were investigated by means of secondary electron line scanning, and the results were compared with those obtained by the profilometric method. It was found that the value of the fractal dimension D se obtained from secondary electron line scanning analysis is larger than that from vertical section analysis (D vs) for the same fractured surface. However, D se, D vs and the impact toughness of the material vary with tempering temperatures in a similar manner. The profile of the secondary electron scanning line can reflect the angular distribution of the scanned surface but cannot directly express the outline of its vertical section.