Metallography

Metallography
Microscopic examination of a metal
specimen.
It helps in determining:
Grain size & shape
Distribution of various phases
Inclusions
Mechanical and thermal treatment and
Expected behavior
Prepared specimen should have flat,
scratch free, mirror finish surface.
The steps involved are:
Selection of Specimen
Mounting the Specimen
 Selection of Specimen
The metal may not be homogeneous
either in composition or crystal structure.
Some metals show directionality (eg.
Wrought iron has slag fiber in the
direction of rolling).
Defects are included in the face to be
polished.
Specimen can be cut using, a hacksaw or
abrasive cut off wheel.
 Mounting the Specimen
easy holding of very thin/irregular samples while
For
grinding and polishing:
Mounting using simple mechanical clamping
devices
Mounting on polymer base: The specimen is kept
on a flat surface in an open box which is filled with
one powder and two liquids which are polymerized
without application of pressure. The mass sets into
a hard solid in about 20 mts.
Mounting on Bakelite base: The specimen is placed
and bakelite powder is filled in the cylinder of
mounting press which is heated to 150C and
pressure up to 25 is applied.
Mounting on Lucite base: Same as above. The
 Grinding
A fairly flat surface is to be obtained
using a course file or emery belt.
The file can be kept flat on table and the
specimen is moved back and forth.
This removes nicks & burrs and scratches
made by hacksaw, cut off wheel etc.
Preferably the specimen should be
washed after each stage of
grinding/polishing.
 Intermediate & Fine
Grinding
This is done on a series of emery paper of
progressively finer grades.
At each stage, the specimen is to be turned through
900 so that the scratches of the previous operation
are at right angles to the new scratches produced.
Grinding should be done on at least four paper of
grades 220, 320, 400 & 600 (from course to fine).
Grinding can be done wet or dry. Wet method on
water proof base is preferred.
The back and forth movement should be straight
and parallel and only light pressures are to be used.
 Fine Polishing
Fine polishing removes the ridges by burnishing
action.
This is done with the help of a rotating wheel,
covered with a special cloth (velvet, billiard cloth etc)
and charged with abrasive particles such as gamma
aluminium oxide (for Fe and Cu based alloys)
The specimen is held on the rotating disc without
application of force and given a slight circular motion
by wrist.
Water is constantly supplied on to the disc.
Polishing can be stopped when the specimen has
developed a scratch free mirror like finish.
 Etching
Only chemical treatment.
The polished specimen is washed free from any dirt or
grease using soap solution or heated spirit.
It is then immersed in the appropriate chemical for few
seconds and immediately washed again in running water.
Preferably the specimen is dried using warm air blown by a
hair drier.
Etching is done for the following reasons.
Etching, by chemical exposes the structure beneath.
Grain boundaries are seen as dark lines when observed through
microscope.
The common etchants used are:
Nitric acid + ethyl alcohol nital for iron & steels, CI
Picric acid + ethyl alcohol picral CI
Alkaline sodium picrate distinguishes ferrite & cementite
Mixed acids & glycerol for Ni-Cr alloys

 Observing using the
microscope
The specimen is arranged below the
objective lines in such a way that the axis
of the instrument is perpendicular to the
prepared surface.
The surface is brought into focus by coarse
adjustment and then by fine adjustment.
The lowest magnification is to be used first
and then move to successively higher
magnifications.
Macroscopic Observation
Macroscopic Observation
Microscopic Observation
Microscopic Observation
Microscopic Observation
Metallurgical Microscope
SEM Images
SEM Images
X Ray Diffraction
Braggs Law
Field Ion Emission