AbstractThis article describes two cases in which the advantages of the ESEM have been exploited in unanticipated ways. First, we have found that etching occurs as the electron beam scans the surface of uncoated polymers in the ESEM. The surface topography caused by this etching, as seen in ESEM images, reflects the morphology of crystalline structures in the polymers. This technique has been valuable in the study of such textures in polymers. The second application is related to our use of the ESEM in support of research on the deinking of paper. In this effort we have learned that an unconventional contrast mechanism can be used during ESEM imaging to distinguish between inked and non‐inked areas of newsprint. Under usual operating conditions, ESEM imaging does not distinguish between inked and non‐inked areas. However, at relatively low sample chamber pressures the non‐inked areas appear brighter than inked areas in ESEM images. © 1993 Wiley‐L