The preparation of transmission electron microscopy specimens of as-drawn gold wire

Transmission electron microscopy specimens of as-drawn Au wires were prepared by two different techniques. Both microstructures were observed and compared. A 〈111〉 texture was observed in the wire thinned by ion milling. The grains were elongated and were approximately 0.2 μm wide. The grains of the specimen prepared by ultramicrotomy were deformed parallel to the cutting direction. Young's modulus of the Au wire was almost the same as that of the 〈111〉 Au single crystal. Therefore, the 〈111〉 texture contributed to the high modulus of the wire.