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metallography

METALLOGRAPHY TESTING SERVICES

NHML is able to characterize the microstructure of metals and alloys by metallography. Metallography in the most basic sense consists of the selection and preparation (sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, and etching) of specimens for microscopic examination. Metallographic techniques may also be applied to ceramic and polymer in some cases. This is the technique that is used to examine the internal structure of a metal. The appearance of the “microstructure” is a key to failure analysis. It is also used to better understand the material and its mechanical behavior. At NHML, laboratory techniques such as microscopy and spectroscopy are combined with a thorough knowledge of thermodynamics, engineering metallurgy, polymer chemistry and applied mechanics to understand and explain the behavior of materials. The scientific understanding is balanced by real-world understanding of manufacturing and design applications.

A wide variety of material is available regarding the preparation of specimens for microscopic examination from a number of sources including the following:


*Metals Handbook Volume Nine Metallography and Microstructures

Equipment used:

  • Most samples are sectioned using a band saw, diamond saw, or a water cooled abrasive saw.

  • Samples are mounted in epoxy and wet ground on successively finer grades of abrasive using manual or automatic laps.


Metallography Applications:

  • Coating or oxide thickness measurements

  • Weld and heat affected zone examinations

  • Microhardness

  • Plating thickness & adhesion

  • Grain size determinations

  • Corrosion analysis

  • Heat treating including case depth and hardness

  • Fracture morphology

  • Extent & size of porosity

  • Inclusion content and rating (non-metallic..)

  • Phase identification

  • Intergranular attack (IGA) and intergranular oxidation (IGO)

  • Microstructural classifications

  • Depth of surface imperfections or corrosion

  • Extent of decarburization of steels

  • Examination of grain boundary precipitates

  • Examination of the extent of cold working of the sample

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