WI No.

: WI/QC/14

METAL FORGINGS Date: 08.08.2017

Rev: 00

PRIVATE LIMITED
WI No.: WI/QC/14: MACROETCHING TESTING Page 1 of 3

(AN I.S.O. 9001-2008 COMPANY)

WORK INSTRUCTIONS FOR MACROETCHING TESTING

SCOPE:

This work instruction covers the methods of macro etching of Steel products (Bars, Billets & Forgings) to reveals
their macrostructure.

PRINCIPLE:

Macroetching is the procedure in which a specimen is etched and evaluated macro structurally at low
magnifications. It is a frequently used technique for evaluating steel products such as billets, bars, blooms, and
forgings. A number of different etching reagents may be used depending upon the type of examination to be
made. Steels react differently to etching reagents because of variations in chemical composition, method of
manufacturing, heat treatment and many other variable.

REFERENCE STANDARDS:

The Procedure is generally based on ASTM E340 & ASTM E381.

EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES:

1. Machining Equipments – Band-saw, Lathe , Polishing machine.

2. Grinding wheel , polishing wheel, Metallographic paper of series 80 to 400.
3. Magnifying glass.
4. Temperature sensor with Indicator.
5. Chemicals Commercial HCL, H2O ,H2SO4, HNO3.

SAMPLE PREPARATION:

1. Cut the samples of required size & standard manner.

i.) Disks cut from ends of bars and billets after proper discard.
ii.) For Forgings- Diskcuts transverse to the long dimension will show bursts & flakes etc.
- Parallel to the long dimension to show flow lines.
2. Disk may be faced on Lathe or shaper for smooth surface finish.
3. For fine details specimen should be Direct grouded down with grinding & polishing wheel .
. and afterwards through the series of metallographic paper.

Prepared By Controlled By Approved By

Engineer-QA MR Manager-QC
 WI No.: WI/QC/14

METAL FORGINGS Date: 08.08.2017

Rev: 00

PRIVATE LIMITED
WI No.: WI/QC/14: MACROETCHING TESTING Page 2 of 3

(AN I.S.O. 9001-2008 COMPANY)

ETCHING PROCEDURE:
Alloys
Plain and alloy steels.
(High speed and tool
steels and stainless steels)
Plain and alloy steels.
Cutlery steels
Macroetchants for Iron & Steels
Composition Procedure Comments
HCL (conc.) 50ml Immerse specimen in General purpose
H2O 50ml solution heated to 160 to
180 F to 15 to 30 min.
Desmut by vigorous
scrubbing with fiber brush
under running water &
dry. For stainless steels
dismutted by dipping in
warm 20% HNO3 to give
bright finish
HCL (conc.) 38ml Immerse specimen in Works well on 12% Cr
H2SO4 (conc) 12ml solution heated to 160 to steel.
H2O 25ml 180 F to 15 to 45 min.
Rinse in warm water and
dry.

Note:
1. Proper safety equipments (Safety aprons , hand gloves etc. ) should be used while handling acids
during test.
2. The etchant/solution should be mixed and placed in corrosion resistant tray/dish/glass beaker and
brought to operating temperature.
3. Etching should be done in a well- ventilated room or at open place.

EVALUATION:

Macroetching will show the Grain flow lines and presence of discontinuities and voids, such as
seams, laps, porosities, flakes, bursts, extrusion rapture, crack etc. if present in the specimen tested and
same should be evaluated according standard practices Standard Method for Rating Macoetch
standard charts of ASTM E 381 & Visual aids “QA/VA/02” and reported the same.

REPORT:

Record the observed Pattern or any discontinuity in the Macroetched test report Format. No: F/QC/21.

Prepared By Controlled By Approved By

Engineer-QA MR Manager-QC
 WI No.: WI/QC/14

METAL FORGINGS Date: 08.08.2017

Rev: 00

PRIVATE LIMITED
WI No.: WI/QC/14: MACROETCHING TESTING Page 3 of 3

(AN I.S.O. 9001-2008 COMPANY)

Prepared By Controlled By Approved By

Engineer-QA MR Manager-QC