How mechanical engineers produce and examine metallic preparations
Metallurgical examination of polished sections is standard practice in assessing the properties of metallic materials and components. A polished section suitable for macroscopic and microscopic examination should have a representative, sharply defined, flat surface of the material under investigation, clearly revealing its microstructure. Changes caused during preparation, such as excessive heat input, deformation, chipping, and scratches, must be strictly avoided.
The essential steps of the preparation are divided into separating the sample, embedding the sample in plastics or epoxy resins (hot or cold embedding) and mechanical preparation of the sample
in several grinding and polishing stages.
Etching of the polished section preparation in solutions is the most frequently used contrasting method (see figure, left). This allows for the assessment of the material condition and the microstructural constituents of the material.
In this project you will be able to independently prepare your own specimens using this method on different samples (screws, semi-hollow rivets, coins, etc.) and examine them microscopically.
| time |
by arrangement, during the lecture-free period |
| Length of time | 3 hours |
| Location | Campus - Friedberg |
| Number of participants | max. 10 people |
| Registration and contact |
Department M |
