Practical Metallography

By Simray Singh
The Preparation of Specimens for Microscopical
Examination
•While preparing a specimen for microscopical examination it is first
necessary to produce in it a surface which is nearly perfectly flat.
•That involves first grinding the surface flat, and then polishing it to
remove the marks left by grinding.
•Selection of a specimen for micro-scopical examination calls for a little
thought, since a large body of metal may not be homogeneous either in
composition or crystal structure.
•The specimen is placed on a suitable flat surface and the two L-
shaped retaining pieces are around it , It is mounted quickly by using
some thermosetting substance, such as bakelite.
Grinding and Polishing the Specimen
•It is first necessary to obtain a reasonably flat surface on
the specimen

•This can be done by 2 methods : 1) Coarse file 2) Motor

driven emery belt

•care must be taken to avoid overheating the specimen

by rapid grinding methods, since this may lead to
alterations in the microstructure

•Intermediate and fine grinding is then carried out on

emery papers of
progressively finer grade.
Etching the Specimen
•Before being etched the specimen must
be absolutely clean.

•When thoroughly clean, the specimen is etched by being plunged into

the etching reagent(nital, picral , sodium picrate) and agitated
vigorously for several seconds.

•After being etched the specimen is washed in running water and then
dried by immersion for a minute or so in boiling ethanol.
The Metallurgical Microscope
• The metallurgical microscope is similar in optical principles to
any other microscope, but differs from some of them in the
method by which the specimen is illuminated.

•Metals, however, are opaque substances, and since they must

be illuminated by frontal lighting, it follows that the source of
light must be inside the microscope tube itself.

•The iris in the illumination system should be closed to a point

where illumination just begins to decrease. This will limit glare
due to internal reflections.
Macro-Examination
• Useful information about the structure of a piece of metal can often
be obtained without the aid of a microscope. Such investigation is usually
referred to as 'macro-examination' and may be carried out with the naked
eye or by using a small hand magnifying lens.

•The method of manufacture of a component can often be revealed by

an examination of this type

•Medium grinding is sufficient to produce a satisfactory surface

For examination.