Sample Preparation

FO R
MI CRO S CO P IC
E X A MINATION
Sample preparation:
Sample preparation consist of five major parts:

 Sectioning
 Mounting
 Grinding
 Polishing
Etching
 Sectioning:
 Sectioning offers the best solution to eliminate
the undesirable features; the resultant surface
is smooth; and the sectioning task is quickly
accomplished.
Low speed cut-off wheels are utilized in case
where heat created by standard abrasive cutters
must be avoided.
Ample coolant and proper speed control are
essential in all sectioning operations.
Mounting:
 A mounted specimens usually has a thickness of
about half its diameter, to prevent rocking during
polishing & grinding.
 The edges of the mounted specimens should be
rounded to minimize the damage to grinding and
polishing discs.
Grinding:
 To prepare the cut surface
suitably for metallographic
examination as optically flat,
reflective, smooth and scratch
free.
Grinding and Abrasion:
• Uses abrasive particles whose projecting points act
as the cutting tools.
• The abrasive particles are cemented together
whose exposed surface is the working surface.
Polishing:
 Polishing involves the use of abrasives, suspended in a water
solution, on cloth-covered electricity powered wheel.
 In intermediate polishing, SIC paper of different grades are
used. Again, the specimens is rotated while switching from one
grade to another. The operation is carried out on a disc with the
sandpaper stretched across it.
Etching:
 Etching
is the process of revealing microstructural details that
would otherwise not be evident on the as-polished sample.
 The specimen after polishing needs to be properly washed and
cleaned with distilled water and after proper drying, the etching
reagent is applied by various steps.
 Etching process should be selectivity to the material that has to be
removed.
Types OF etching:
 Chemical Etching
 Electrolytic Etching
 Heat Tinting
Purposes:
 To find out the various phases present in the material.
 To find out the approximate composition materials.
 To find out the approximate strength and hardness.
 To find out the Reasons of failure of materials.