Industrial testing guide
Metallography
Microscopic examination of material structure and preparation-dependent features.
Safety boundary: this page is conceptual. It does not provide ionizing-radiation source handling, pressure-test procedures, hazardous chemical recipes, energized test instructions, machine settings or robot operation.
What this topic covers
Microscopic examination of material structure and preparation-dependent features.
Core testing ideas
Metallography can reveal phases, grain structure, inclusions and damage features.
Section location and preparation determine what is visible.
Etchants and preparation equipment require laboratory controls not described here.
Measurement and method limits
Specimen orientation, preparation, environment and test rate can affect results.
Evidence and traceability
Destructive tests are valuable because they directly measure behaviour, but tested specimens are consumed or altered.
Using the result
Component design decisions require engineering interpretation beyond a laboratory property value.