METALLOGRAPHY PROCESS

1. METALLOGRAPHY PROCESS Study of the physical structure and components of metals using light microscope. 1. Cutting Large piece of metal should be cut by using diamond saw. Great care should be taken while preparing specimen because cutting with abrasive may cause a high amount of damage . Mechanical damage may change the microstructure of the material. 5. Etching Process of revealing microstructural details which will not be seen just by polishing. 6. The Sample is Ready for microscopic view 2. Mounting 4. Polishing 3. Grinding Surface layers damaged by cutting must be removed by grinding. Mounted specimens are ground with rotating discs of abrasive paper. Abrasive paper typically ranges from 120 to 1200(Coarse to fine). Mounting of specimens is usually necessary to allow sample to be handled easily. A mounted specimen usually has a thickness of about half its diameter, to prevent rocking during grinding and polishing. The edges of the mounted specimen should also be rounded to minimize the damage to grinding and polishing discs. Polishing discs are covered with soft cloth impregnated with abrasive diamond particles and an oily lubricant or water lubricant. Aluminum Microstructure