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Preparation of
Specimens for
Metallographic
Examination

Metallography

INDEX
Objectives
Introduction
Metallography
Questions

Objective
To prepare the specimens surfaces to be
examined for their microstructure study by
the microscope .

To learn and to gain experience in the

preparation of metallographic specimens.

Introduction
Metallography
is basically the study of the
structures and constitution of metals and
alloys, using metallurgical microscopes and
magnifications, so that the physical and
mechanical properties of an alloy can be
related to its observed microstructure.

It provides information about the specimen

under investigation, including the size and
shape of the grains (crystallites), the presence
of micro defects (such as segregation, hair
cracks, and nonmetallic inclusions), and the
nature and distribution of secondary phases. 6

Metallography
Cutting
Grounding emery paper (240, 300, 400, 600)
Polishing (0.5, 0.1, 0.05)
Etching Nitol/ Kellers Solution
Microscopy

Grounding
grinding is a subset of cutting, as grinding is a true
metal cutting process.

Abrasive :The use of Premium SiC abrasive paper

is the most efficient and practical technique for
grinding metallic metallographic specimens.
Although many qualities of silicon carbide are
readily available, only the premium grade SiC
powder provides the most consistent results and
highest grinding rates.

Each grain of abrasive functions as a microscopic

single-point cutting edge and shears a tiny chip that
is analogous to what would conventionally be called
a "cut" chip (turning, milling, drilling, tapping, etc.)

Grinding Soft non-ferrous

metals
Soft non-ferrous metals - Initial grinding is
recommended with 320 grit SiC

abrasive paper followed by 320 400, 600 and , 800 grit SiC
paper. because These materials are relatively soft they do
not easily break down the SiC paper.

The initial grinding with 320 grit is generally sufficient for

minimizing initial deformation and yet maintaining adequate

removal rates.

For extremely soft materials such as tin, lead and zinc it is

also recommended that the abrasive paper be lightly coated

with a paraffin wax. The wax reduces

the tendency of the SiC abrasive to embed into the soft

specimen.

Grinding Ferrous metals

Ferrous metals - are relatively easy to grind with the
depth of deformation being a major consideration.

120 grit SiC abrasives provide a good initial start with

subsequent use of 240 or 320, 400, 600 and 800 grit
SiC.

Super alloys - are generally of moderate hardness but

have extremely stable elevated temperature
characteristics and corrosion resistance.

the procedures for preparing super alloys is very similar

to that for most non-ferrous metals.

 Sample Preparation

The purpose of this practice is to understand how to

prepare and interpret metallographic samples
systematically.

Gather information about chemical composition, heat

treatment, processing, phase diagram.

Cut representative sample.

Mount sample, grind and polish.
Examine un etched sample.
Etch lightly and examine again.
Etch further if necessary.
Compare with microstructure expected from equilibrium
phase diagram

Spheroidal Graphite Cast Iron

Materials used for the abrading particles are:

Abrasive Material
garnet: commonly used in woodworking
emery: commonly used to abrade or polish metal
aluminium oxide: perhaps most common in widest variety of
grits; can be used on metal (i.e. body shops) or wood
silicon carbide: available in very coarse grits all the way through
to micro-grits, common in wet applications
alumina-zirconia: (an aluminium oxidezirconium oxide alloy),
used for machine grinding applications
chromium oxide: used in extremely fine micron grit (micrometre
level) papers
ceramic aluminum oxide: used in high pressure applications,
used in both coated abrasives, as well as in bonded abrasives.

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Polishing
Polishing is the process of creating a smooth
and shiny surface by rubbing it or using a
chemical action, leaving a surface with a
significant reflection

Aluminum Oxide(0.5, 0.1, 0.05)

PROCESS
The specimen must
1. Be free from scratches, stains and others imperfections
which
tend to mark the surface.
2. Reveal no evidence of chipping due to brittle inter metallic
compounds and phases.
3. Be free from all traces of disturbed metal.
4. The specimen has to be grounded with the help of abrasive
papers.
5. Polishing enhances the surface and makes it suitable to
observe its
grain structure under Microscope.

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Grain
The micro structure of many metallic or ceramic materials
consists of many grains.

A grain
is portion of the materials within which the arrangement of the
atoms is nearly identical but the orientation or crystal structure of
atoms
are different.

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A Grain Boundary

The surface that separates the individual grains is a

narrow zoon in which the atoms are properly spaced.

One method of controlling the properties of a material

is by controlling the grain size.

aluminum oxide
and titanium dioxide (Al2O3 . TiO2)

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Surface Defects

Surface defects are the boundaries, or plans, that

separate a material into regions.

Each region may have the same crystal structure but

different orientation

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Industrial etching

The surface is than exposed to chemical attack or

ETCHING, with grain boundaries being attacked more
aggressively than reminder of the grain to reveal the
microstructure.

Light from an optical microscope is reflected or

scattered from the sample surface depending how the
surface is etched

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Etching:

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Surface Finish and Surface Roughness

(Original Magnification 50x)

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REFERENCES
http://sembach.com/uploads/images/brevier/bild18.gif
http://www.springerimages.com/img/Images/Springer/JOU=11
661/VOL=2011.42/ISU=9/ART=688/MediaObjects/MEDIUM_11
661_2011_688_Fig26_HTML.jpg

http://www.springerimages.com/img/Images/Springer/JOU=11
661/VOL=2011.42/ISU=11/ART=749/MediaObjects/MEDIUM_1
1661_2011_749_Fig1_HTML.jpg

http://www.sfsa.org/tutorials/uplock/images/Grains.Jpg
http://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0S0043164804002364-gr11.jpg

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