SAMPLE PREPARATION 1.

CUTTING The sample was placed on the slotted table so that it is at the center of the swing of the head. Locking Lever is placed in the forward position to allow the control rod to move to the furthest position. The nuts that secure the Vise section to the table was tightened. The control rod was pushed in to make firm contact with the sample and the Locking Level was pulled back to secure the sample. The coolant was turned on and it is readily flowed to both cool and cleaned the cutting area. A steady moderate pressure was applied until the specimen is sectioned. Jerking motion was avoided because it will cause the blade to splinter.

2. MOLDING 2.1 HOT MOUNTING Specimen was cleaned to remove cutting and handling residues. Debris was removed from mold assembly. Thin coat of mold release compound was applied to mold assembly. Mold ram was raised to up position. The specimen was centered on ram The ram assembly was lowered. Predetermined amount of resin was poured into mold. Any excess resin was cleaned and removed from around the mold assembly threads. Mold assembly cover was locked. Ram was slowly raised into up position. Recommended heat and maintain pressure was applied for specific period of time. The sample was cooled to near room temperature. Mounted specimen was removed Mold and ram assembly was cleaned. 2.2 COLD MOUNTING Liquid soap was applied to the inner walls and base of the mounting ring. The specimen was placed in the center or bottom of the plastic mounting ring base with the examination surface face-down. The mounting ring cylinder was attached to the base by simple pressing firmly in place. The appropriate amount of cold mount was mix in a paper cup. The epoxy mixture was simply poured into the mounting ring. After one hour, the sample was remove from the mounting ring and proceed with course grinding.

3. GRINDING 3.1 ROUGH GRINDING The specimen was labeled. The motor was turned on, then the water. The flow to obtain a good film of water was adjusted. Too much water caused a spray when it contacts the sample. Grinding started with the 120-grit belt and both hands was used to hold the specimen. The sample face was carefully places onto the exposed area of the belt being careful not to contact the rotating surface with sharp edge of the specimen. Moderate pressure was applied evenly. The sample was move left and right across the belt surface and obtained uniform grinding. Both hands used to hold the specimen. Unsecured specimens can catch an edge and fly. The sample was lifted from the wheel periodically to determine the progress of grinding but it was not rotate the sample. The 120-grit stage was complete when all the line scratched in by the grinder was parallel on the specimen surface. The grinder was continued until all of the lines are parallel if any line or scratches was not in the same direction. All debris was washed carefully from sample using tap water when all the sample's scratches were parallel. The specimen then dried immediately using paper towel or pressurized air to avoid corrosion. Grinding then proceeded to the 180 grit stage with the scratches oriented approximately perpendicular to the intended grinding direction. Steps 3 to 6 were repeated. When the 180-grit stage was completed, the process then proceeds to the medium or fine grinding.

3.2 FINE GRINDING Manual fine drawing the specimens in one direction across the surface of the water performed grinding lubricated abrasive paper. Backward and forward motion was used because there is a tendency to rock the sample, curved produced rather than flat surface. Started with the lowest grade of abrasive paper and proceeded to the highest. To monitor the progress, each fine grinding step were performed un a direction off-angle with respect to the previous step. Fine grinding was continued until the previous stage's scratches were gone. A few extra strokes were used to assure complete scratch removal. Sufficient water was applied to provide lubrication and flushed away the removal products. Too much water causes a hydroplaning action where sample rides on a film of water, which reduced the effectiveness of the abrasive. The valve at the top of the roll-grinder was used to increase and decrease the quality of water needed or desired. The specimen was carefully rinsed after each step of fine grinding.

4. POLISHING Safety goggle was worn when used the polisher. The specimen and hand were ensured have been thoroughly cleaned before polishing. Polishing started with the 25-micron. The water was turned on and adjusted to less than one drop per second. A small amount of the aluminum oxide abrasive solution was applied to the polishing cloth. During polishing the specimen, the specimen was hold with both hands. A moderate amount of pressure was applied and it do not let go. The rough polishing stages took 1 and 2 minutes each. The polishing wheel did not contaminate. The wheel was covered when it is not in used. The specimen and hand were washed and dried thoroughly then rinse before proceeding to the next polishing stage. Step 4 to 8 was repeated for the 5-micron stage. The step was proceeding to the final polishing station when all of the 25micron marks were removed at the 5-micron stage. The specimen was hold with both hands and a small amount of pressure was applied and did not let go. The final polishing stage took between half or 1 minute. The wheel was covered when it is not in used. The specimen and hands were washed and dried then rinsed with distilled water before proceeding to etching.

5. ETCHING The specimen was placed on the table under the fume hood with the polished surface up. The fume hood was turned on. The surface was cleaned with alcohol and let dried using the hot air gun. A few drops of etchant were applied to the specimen surface covering the entire metallic surface of the specimen using the eyedropper. After 20 to 30 seconds. The etchant was rinsed into the sink with the water and it is quickly rinsed with alcohol. The sample was dried using hot air gun. The process then was proceeds to microscopic examination.

6. METALLOGRAPHIC OBSERVATION The sample was examined in the microscope. Initially the specimen was examined through the stereomicroscope that gave a three-dimensional impression of the specimen surface. With a properly etched specimen, grains were differentiated and impurity particles could be seen clearly. Metallurgical microscope was used to view the specimen at various magnifications and the microstructural aspect of the material was noted. The microstructure of the specimen was sketched.