Metallography

Microstructure of Metals

Microstructure is defined as the structure of a prepared surface or thin foil of material as revealed by a microscope above 25× magnification.The microstructure of a material (which can be broadly classified into metallic, polymeric, ceramic and composite) can strongly influence physical properties such as strength, toughness, ductility, hardness, corrosion resistance, high/low temperature behavior, wear resistance, and so on, which in turn govern the application of these materials in industrial practice.

Microstructure of a weld used in duplex stainless steel, 2205, 250X original magnification. A color mixture of austenite, ferrite and sigma phases.

Microstructure of Austenitic Stainless Steel

(continue reading…)

Aluminum Foil Aluminum foil is made from an aluminum...

Metallography This image titled "Wood Pile (SEM)" received...

Metallurgy Glossary Metallurgy Glossary Activity: A function...

Types of Materials Metals: Metals are elements...

Microstructure

Metallography

This image titled “Wood Pile (SEM)” received Honorable Mention in Class 10 of the International Metallographic Contest. It was submitted by NT Saenz, JE Coleman, & Todd Schaef of PNNL.

Metallography is the study of a materials microstructure. Analysis of a material’s metallographic microstructure aids in determining if the material has been processed correctly and is therefore a critical step for determining product reliability and/or for determining why a material failed. The basic steps for proper metallographic specimen preparation include: documentation, sectioning, mounting, rough grinding, fine grinding, polishing, etching and examination.

(continue reading…)