Etching

Microscopy analysis of a properly polished, unetched specimen will reveal only a few structural features such
as inclusions and cracks or other physical imperfections. Etching is used to highlight, and sometimes identify,
micro structural features or phases present. Even in a carefully prepared sample, a surface layer of disturbed
metal, resulting from the final polishing stage, is always present and must be removed. Etchants are usually
dilute acid or dilute alkalis in water, alcohol or some other solvent. Etching occurs when the acid or base is
placed on the specimen surface because of the difference in rate of attack of the various phases present and
their orientation. The etching process is usually accomplished by merely applying the appropriate solution to
the specimen surface for several seconds to several minutes. Nital, a Nitric acid Alcohol mixture (e.g. 1:5), is
the etchant commonly utilized with common irons and steels. The specimen is immersed into Nital solution.
Five seconds is usually sufficient for proper etching depending on sample and nital concentration. The sample
is immediately washed under running water and dried in an air blast. Do not touch, wipe or swab the specimen
following etching and then move on to the microscopic examination stage!

Microscopy analysis
1.
Initial microscopic viewing should be done utilizing a stereomicroscope, which reveals a threedimensional scanning of the specimen surface. The specimen is placed on the stage of the microscope so that
its surface is perpendicular to the optical axis.
2.
Detailed viewing is done with a Metallurgical Microscope. A metallurgical microscope has a system
of lenses (objectives and eyepiece) so that different magnifications (100X, 400X and 1000X) can be achieved.
The important characteristics of the microscope are: (1) magnification, (2) resolution and (3) flatness of field.
3.
Take a photograph of each specimen at the optimal magnification. (if the camera is not working then
sketch the microstructure of each specimen).
4.
Make sure that the specimen that you prepared is clearly labelled and the specimen surface is in its
final condition; it must be submitted with your lab write-up to the laboratory instructor.
The resultant magnification is the product of the magnifying power of the objective and that of the ocular.
Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEMs) are capable of magnifications up to 20,000X and Transmission
Electron Microscopes (TEMs) are utilized to view at magnifications up to 100,000X for highly detailed micro
structural study.

4.Why are metallographic samples sometimes mounted

in plastic?
Metallographic samples need to be well levelled and polished. Polishing is best done on a
machine with a mechanical holder (to apply uniform motion and a steady down force)
which can only hold samples of standard cylindrical diameters. But one very often
cannot cut the sample material into that shape or the sample is just too small. So it is
easier to cast the sample inside plastic. Also that way, the back side of the sample can be
easily levelled. Finally, the stages of metallographic microscopes are usually set to
accommodate such samples.
The plastic is not chosen at random; it is an epoxy resin which is easy to prepare (by
mixing the two precursors into a solvent) and cast with your samples into standard sized
cylindrical moulds. It has also the advantage of not smearing on your metallic surface
and not clogging your abrasive papers.

5.What is the difference between hypo-eutectoid steel

and hyper-eutectoid steel?
Hypo-eutectoid steel has less than 0,8% of C in its composition.
Hyper-eutectoid steel has between 0.8% and 2% of C.
Eutectoid would be with a percentage of 0.8, every percentage is of weight.
A Hypo-Eutectoid phase is a phase in which the concentration of the component on the
x-axis of the phase diagram is less than the concentration of the same component at the
eutectoid point. Similarly, A hyper-eutectoid phase is the a phase in which the
concentration of this component is more than the Eutectoid point.
In case of steel the hypereutectoid phase will have lesser carbon content than the
eutectoid or hypereutectoid steel. More specifically, less than 0.77% (which is the carbon
content at the eutectoid point. Hyper-eutectoid steel will contain 0.77-2% carbon.
Now coming to properties, they differ due to the presence of different micro structures.
At temperatures above eutectoid temperature, the hyper eutectoid phase contains ferrite & cementite (Fe3C) whereas hypereutectoid steel contains -ferrite and -ferrite.
On cooling below the eutectoid temperature the resulting microstructures are also
different. According to the Wikipedia page for carbon steels:
Cooling a hypoeutectoid steel (less than 0.77 wt% C) results in a lamellar-pearlitic
structure of iron carbide layers with -ferrite (pure iron) between. If it is hypereutectoid
steel (more than 0.77 wt% C) then the structure is full pearlite with small grains (larger

than the pearlite lamella) of cementitescattered throughout. The relative amounts of

constituents are found using the lever rule.

6.
i)What are the phases of eutectoid steel at room
temperature?
The lowest temperature at which austenite transforms into ferrite and cementite. Steel with
0.77 percent carbon transforms at this temperature.

Conclusion
As conclusion, the objectives of the experiment were successfully achieved. The method of
preparation of metallographic sample was understood. There are 5 process need to be through
by the specimen which are cutting, molding, grinding, polishing and finally etching. The
other aim which is to understand the concept of etching and the purpose of etching also
successfully achieved. Etching process was carried out to selectively attack the surface of
metals to reveal grains boundaries, phases, precipitates, inclusions and variations in
composition.
Other than that, the basic function of optical microscope and it operation also understood.
The structure of the material can be observed with the aid of optical microscope. Finally, the
objective of the used and performed analysis from the microstructure's observed also
successfully achieved. The microstructure of the sample obtain was a mixture of ferrite and
pearlite which is a hypoeutectoid steel.