Material Science &

Testing Lab Manual

LAB CODE-RME 351

Prepared by:

Department of Mechanical Engineering

G L Bajaj Institute of Engineering and Technology
Greater Noida- 201306
Department of Mechanical Engineering
 RME-351 Material Science & Testing Lab

List of Experiments
Minimum Eight experiments to be performed (As per syllabi)

S. No. List of Experiments Page

No.
1. To measure the toughness of a given specimen by IMPACT testing
machine
2. To measure the spring index of closed helical spring.
3. To measure the modulus of rigidity by torsion test.
4. To determine the Ultimate Tensile strength of Mild steel sample by
U.T.M Machine.
5. To make a plastic mould for small metallic specimen.
6. To measure the hardness of given specimen by Rockwell hardness tester.
7. To study Heat treatment processes (Annealing, Normalizing, Hardening)
of steel specimen.
8. Study of different engineering materials.
9. Study of deflection (y) of simply supported beam and calculate the value
of Young’s modulus of beam.
10. Prepare the specimen for micro structural examination-cutting, grinding,
polishing, etching.
Experiments beyond recommendation of AKTU, Lucknow
1.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
 Syllabus

 Practical Outcomes

 Mapping of Program Outcomes with Practical Outcomes

 Session Plan

 Laboratory policies & Report format

 Evaluation sheet

 Experiment and viva-voce questions

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 Study & Evaluation scheme
Period Evaluation Scheme
S. s Sessional ESE
No. Subject Name of the Assessment Subject Credit
Code Subject L T P CT T A Total Total

1 NME-351 Material Science and 0 0 2 10 10 20 30 50 1

Testing Lab

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 Practical Outcomes (PrO):

S. No. Outcomes
1. Students will be able to acquire the basic knowledge about the
Mechanical properties of materials by using different mechanical
testing machine such as Torsion testing machine, Rockwell hardness
tester, Spring index testing machine and UTM machine.
2. Students will be able to acquire the knowledge regarding life of a
machine component by using torsion testing machine and fatigue testing
machine.
3. Students will be able to acquire the knowledge regarding polishing
operation of a small metallic sample.
4. Students will be able to acquire the knowledge of different engineering
materials properties and its industrial applications.

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Mapping of Program Outcomes with Practical Outcomes
S. No. PrO/PO PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 PO11 PO12

1 1 1 - - - - - - - - - - -
2 2 1 - - - - - - - - - - -
3 3 1 - - - - - - - - - - -
4 4 1 1 - - - - - - - - - -
1: Slight (low) 2: Moderate (Medium) 3: Substantial (High)

“-” No correlation

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 Session Plan
COURSE: B. Tech. (Mechanical Engineering)

TITLE: Material science and testing lab

CREDIT: 1

LOCATION: Lab No. ME-11

PREREQUISITES COURSES: Engg.

Mechanics, Engg. Chemistry

PREREQUISITIES BY TOPIC:

S. No. List of Experiments Pre requisites

1. To measure the toughness of a given specimen by IMPACT
testing machine
2. To measure the hardness of given specimen by Rockwell
hardness tester. Engg. Mechanics
3. To measure the spring index of closed helical spring.
4. To measure the modulus of rigidity by torsion test.
5. To prepare a plastic mould for small metallic specimen.
6. To study Heat treatment processes (Annealing, Normalizing,
Hardening) of steel specimen.
7. To determine the Ultimate Tensile strength of Mild steel sample Engg. Chemistry
by U.T.M Machine.
8. Study of different engineering materials.

TEXT BOOK(S) AND/OR REQUIRED

MATERIALS:
1. (1) Callisters Materials Science and
Engineering, by William D. Callister, Jr,
(Adopted by R.
Balasubramaniam), Wiley India Pvt. Ltd.
(2) Lab manuals

WEB RESOURCES:
.

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S.No. Name of Experiment Practical Outcomes
To measure the toughness of a given specimen
by IMPACT testing machine
1 Students will be able to acquire the
basic knowledge about the Mechanical
properties of materials by using
To measure the hardness of given specimen by different mechanical testing machine
Rockwell hardness tester. such as Torsion testing machine,
2 Rockwell hardness tester, Spring index
testing machine and UTM machine.

3 To measure the spring index of closed helical

spring.

4 To measure the tensile strength of given

specimen by UTM.

To measure the modulus of rigidity by torsion

test.
5 Students will be able to acquire the
knowledge regarding life of a machine
To study Heat treatment processes (Annealing, component by using torsion testing
Normalizing, Hardening) of steel specimen. machine.
6

7 To prepare a plastic mould for small metallic Students will be able to acquire the
specimen. knowledge regarding polishing
operation of a small metallic sample.

8 Study of different engineering materials. Students will be able to acquire the

knowledge of different engineering
materials properties and its industrial
applications.

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 Internal Evaluation Method
S.No. Item %
1. Attendance 20
2. In lab performance 40
3. Record 30
4. Post lab Viva-voce 10

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 LABORATORY POLICIES AND REPORT FORMAT
1. Lab reports should be submitted on A4 paper. Your report is a professional
presentation of your work in the lab. Neatness, organization, and completeness will be
rewarded. Points will be deducted for any part that is not clear.

2. The lab reports will be written individually. Please use the following format for your lab
reports.

a. Cover Page Include your name, Subject Code, Subject title, Name of the
College

b. Evaluation Sheet Gives your internal mark split –up

c. Index Sheet Includes the name of all the experiments
d. Experiment It includes experiment name, date, objective, flowchart, formulae
documentation used, Model calculation, problem solution.

e. Post lab Should be written after completing the experiments.

question

3. Your work must be original and prepared independently. However, if you need any
guidance or have any questions or problems, please do not hesitate to approach your staff
in charge. The students should follow the dress code in the Lab session.

4. Labs will be graded as per the following grading/marks policy:

5. Reports Due Dates: Reports should be submitted immediately after next week of the
experiment. A late lab report will have 20% of the points deducted for being one day late.
If a report is 3 days late, grade/marks of D/0 will be assigned.
.

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 Experiment No.:1

Object:-
(i) To Determine the Impact strength of Mild Steel specimen by (Charpy test)
(ii) To measure the toughness of a given specimen.

Apparatus Required:-

S. No. EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS REQUIRED Material required

1.  Impact testing machine  A mild steel
specimen having
a groove of 45’ &
2 mm depth

Brief Theory:-

Fig: 1 Charpy test setup (a) hammer position (b) specimen position

An Impact test signifies toughness of material that is ability of material to absorb energy
during plastic deformation. Static tension tests of unmatched specimens do not always reveal
the susceptibility of a metal to brittle fracture. This important factor is determined by impact
test. Toughness takes into account both the strength and ductility of the material.
Several engineering materials have to withstand impact or suddenly applied loads while
in service. Impact strengths are generally lower as compared to strengths achieved under

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 slowly applied loads. Of all types of impact tests, the notch bar tests are most extensively
used. Therefore, the impact test measures the energy necessary to fracture a standard notch
bar by applying an impulse load. The test measures the notch toughness of material under
shock loading. Values obtained from these tests are not of much utility to design problems
directly and are highly arbitrary.
Still it is important to note that it provides a good way of comparing toughness of
various materials or toughness of the same material under different condition. This test can
also be used to assess the ductile brittle transition temperature of the material occurring due
to lowering of temperature.
Procedure:-

1. With the striking hammer (pendulum) in safe test position, firmly hold the steel specimen
in Impact testing machines vice in such a way that the notch faces as the hammer and is
half inside and half above the top surface of the vice.
2. Bring the striking hammer to its top most striking position unless it is already there, and
lock it at that position.
3. Bring indicator of the machine to zero, or follow the instructions of the operating manual
supplied with the machine.
4. Release the hammer. It will fall due to gravity and break the specimen through its
momentum, the total energy is not absorbed by the specimen. Then it continues to swing.
At its topmost height after breaking the specimen, the indicator stops moving, while the
pendulum falls back. Note the indicator at that topmost final position.
5. The specimen is placed on supports or anvil so that the blow of hammer is opposite to the
notch.

Calculations:-
 Material of test specimen – Mild Steel
 Type of notch – V notch
 Dimension of specimen – 10x10x55 (mm3)
 Velocity of striking – 5.3465 m/sec
 Angle of drop of pendulum – 120’

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Specimen no. Maximum impact energy of pendulum Energy absorbed
(Joule) (Joule)
1
2
3

 Average value of impact strength =

Results:-
The energy absorbed for Mild Steel is found out to be…………Joules.

Precautions:-
1. Measure the dimensions of the specimen carefully.
2. Locate the specimen (Charpy test) in such a way that the hammer, strikes it at the
middle.
3. Note down readings carefully.

Conclusions of the present work (what new you have learnt

in today’s experiment):-
1.
2.
3.

Viva-voce Questions
1. Define toughness?
2. Define strain energy?
3. Define Impact load?

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 Experiment No.:2

Object: - To determine the spring index i.e. loads (tensile/compressive) required for unit
deflection (elongation/compression) of a helical spring.

Apparatus Required:-

S. No. EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS REQUIRED Material required

1.  Spring index testing machine.  Spring specimen
 Vernier caliper
 Micrometer

Brief Theory:-

Spring index s (or spring rate or spring stiffness) is defined as the load P that causes unit
deflection δ in the spring. This deflection is in the form of contraction in a compression spring
and in the form of extension in a tension spring. Thus

S = P/δ

Spring index is an important parameter in selection of spring for a particular use. It is expressed
in N/mm or Kg/mm etc. The nature of load v/s deflection curve decides whether the behavior of
spring is linear or non-linear. Mostly close- coiled helical spring have nature.

Deflection of a close-coiled helical can be evaluated analytically by a derived formula given

below.

Δ = (8PD3n)/ (Gd4)

Where P is the axial load (tensile or compressive), D is mean coil diameter of the spring, n is
number of coils, G is modulus of rigidity of spring material, and d is the spring wire diameter. In
an experiment if δ obtained for different loading, the shear modulus G can be determined
experimentally by above formula.

The maximum shear stress Ț included in the spring can be determined by:

Ț = (8PD2)/ (πd4)

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Procedure:-

1. By using the micrometer measure the diameter of the wire of the spring.
2. By using the Vernier caliper measure the diameter of the spring coil.
3. Count the number of turns.
4. Insert the spring testing machine and note the corresponding axial deflection in
tension or compression.
5. Increase the load and take the corresponding axial deflection reading.

Calculations:-
 Diameter of compression spring coil, D, mm =
 Diameter of compression spring coil, d, mm =
 Number of turns in compression spring, n =

 For compression spring:

Run Number Load, P (Kg) Deflection, δ (mm)

 For Tension spring:

Run Number Load, P (Kg) Deflection, δ (mm)

Results:-
Spring index of helical spring is ………. N/mm

Precautions:-
1. Measure the dimensions of the specimen carefully.
2. Measure the deflection of spring accurately for the corresponding value of
tensile/compressive load.

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 3. Note down readings carefully.

Conclusions of the present work (what new you have learnt

in today’s experiment):-
1.
2.
3.

Viva-voce Questions
1. Define Tensile/Compressive load?
2. Define spring index?
3. Define modulus of rigidity?

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 Experiment No.:3

Object: - To Determine the Modulus of rigidity of Mild Steel specimen by (Torsion test)

Apparatus Required:-
S. No. EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS REQUIRED Material required
1.  A Torsion testing machine.  Mild Steel
 Twist meter for measuring angles of twist. specimen
 A steel rule and calipers or micrometer.

Brief Theory:-

Fig (4.1) Torsion testing machine

A Torsion test is quite instrument in determining the value of modulus of rigidity (ratio of shear
stress to shear strain) of a metallic specimen. The value of modulus of rigidity can be found out
through observation made during the experiment by using the torsion equation.

T/IP = Cα/l

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 Where, T = torque applied
IP = Polar moment of inertia
C = Modulus of rigidity
α = Angle of twist (radians), and
l = gauge length

Procedure:-

1. Select the driving dogs to suit the size of the specimen and clamp it in the machine by
adjusting the length of the specimen by means of a sliding spindle.
2. Measure the diameter at about three places and take the average value.
3. Choose the appropriate range by capacity change lever.
4. Set the maximum load pointer to zero.
5. Set the protector to zero for convenience and clamp it by means of knurled screw.
6. Load the machine in suitable increments.
7. Then load out to failure as to cause equal increments of strain reading.

Calculations:-
 Material of test specimen – Mild Steel
 Dimension of specimen – 10x10x55 (mm3)
 Gauge length of the specimen =
 Diameter of the specimen =
 Polar moment of inertia =

Torque 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
(T)
Angle
of twist
(α) in
radians

Note: Angle of twist is measured in degrees. It should be converted into radians {α x (π/180)}.

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  Average value angle of twist =

Results:-
Modulus of rigidity of mild steel rod is - ------------ N/mm2

Precautions:-
1. Measure the dimensions of the specimen carefully.
2. Measure the Angle of twist accurately for the corresponding value of Torque.
3. Note down readings carefully.

Conclusions of the present work (what new you have learnt in

today’s experiment):-
1.

2.
3.
Viva-voce Questions
1. Define Modulus of rigidity?
2. Define angle of twist?
3. Define polar moment of Interia?

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 Experiment No.:4

Object: - To determine the Ultimate Tensile strength of Mild steel sample by U.T.M
Machine.

Apparatus Required:-
S. No. EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS REQUIRED Material required
1.  Universal testing machine  Mild Steel
 Vernier caliper. specimen

Brief Theory:-
For the study of behavior of engineering materials under tensile load, a test specimen is required
to be prepared. The shape of the test specimen is normally a right circular cylinder. The shape of
the test specimen is normally a right circular cylinder. The ends of the test specimen to be
gripped should suit the holders of the specimen of the test machine. For ductile material plain
ends and for brittle materials threaded ends may be used. In general the diameter (d) of the gauge
portion should not be less than 4mm. The test specimen is loaded axially, which responds to
a applied axial load in the form of axial elongation with simultaneously lateral reduction up to
certain value of load the stress included in the test specimen is directly proportional to the strain.
If the material is stressed beyond the yield point, a point will come where the sample will be
stressed maximum i.e maximum stressed is applied. This point is known as ultimate point and
stress at that point is known as Ultimate stress point.

Ultimate stress: The ratio of maximum load to the original cross-sectional area of a bar is
called ultimate stress.

Procedure:-

1. Measure the gauge length and diameter of the test specimen

2. Insert the suitable jaws in the grips and select a suitable load scale on the Universal-
testing machine.
3. Start the machine and record the readings for different values of loads.

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 4. Continue applying load and record the extension values corresponding to the load till
the test specimen ruptures.

Calculations:-
 Material of test specimen – Mild Steel
 Dimension of specimen – 10x10x55 (mm3)
 Gauge length of the specimen =
 Diameter of the specimen = 10 mm

S.No. Load (W) Ultimate Tensile

(N) Strength (MPa)

Results:-
Ultimate Tensile strength (MPa) =

Precautions:-
1. There should not be any scratch mark in the gauge length portion of the specimen.
2. Rate of loading should not high.
3. Reading of load must be recorded very carefully.

Conclusions of the present work (what new you have learnt in

today’s experiment):-
1.
2.
3.

Viva-voce Questions
1. Define Stress?
2. Define Ultimate strength?
3. Define Hooks law?

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 Experiment No.:5

Object: - To make a plastic mould for small metallic specimen.

Apparatus Required:-
S. No. EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS REQUIRED Material required
1.  Mounting press specimen  Granular plastic.
 Dies or mould with piston.
 One pair of asbestos hand gloves to hold
the hot specimen

Brief Theory:-
Polishing of a small metallic specimen or of a specimen in the form of thin foil is difficult. For
convenience in handling during polishing operation, they are required to be attached to mounted
on suitable plastic mould. This also helps in edge retention during polishing. The plastic mould is
prepared from granular plastic by heating and pressure application. Metallic mould are required
to hold plastic grains. They have to be of different shapes and sizes so as to get the final product
(plastic mould) of similar shapes and sizes.

Procedure:-

1. First of all the silicon-grease is applied on inner surface of the mould and on outer surface
of the piston, for easy and smooth sliding of piston inside the mould.
2. Now the plastic grains are put in the mould and thin/foil metallic specimen is placed on
it. The mould is encased by the piston.
3. The mould-piston assembly is placed in the heater and tightened.
4. Plastic grains normally melt below 100 degree Celsius. Its correct melting temperature
can be recorded by mercury thermometer.

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 5. Heater plugs are disconnected to allow cooling of thus prepared plastic mould. The
cooling is done down up to room temperature.
6. The cooled set-up is pressed again by jack to take out the piston and solidified mould.

Results:-
The plastic mould along with the metallic specimen is ready for further action i.e. polishing.

Precautions:-
1. Carefully wear hand gloves to hold the specimen.
2. Note down readings carefully.

Conclusions of the present work (what new you have learnt in

today’s experiment):-
1
2
3

Viva-voce Questions
1. Define mould?
2. Define casting?
3. Define plastic material?

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 Experiment No.:6
Object: - To determine the hardness of Mild Steel specimen by Rockwell hardness tester.

Apparatus Required:-

S. No. EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS REQUIRED Material required

1.  Rockwell hardness testing machine  Mild steel
 Steel ball indenter/penetrator specimen

Brief Theory:-

Rockwell hardness test uses a direct reading instrument based on the principle of differential
depth measurement. The test is performed by slowly raising the specimen against the indenter
until a fixed minor load has been applied. This is indicated on the dial gauge. Then major load is
applied through a loader lever system. After the dial pointer comes to rest the major load is
removed and, with the minor load still acting, the Rockwell hardness number is read on the dial
gauge, since order of numbers is reversed on the dial gauge. The minor load is 10 Kg on a
normal tester and major loads are usually 60, 100 and 150 Kg. On the normal scale. A variety of
indentures and levels may be used and each combination determines a particular Rockwell scale.
Indentures include hard steel ball 1/16, 1/8, ¼, ½ inch diameter and a 120 degree conical
diamond point.

Procedure:-

1. Insert ball of dia. D in ball holder of the machine.

2. Make the specimen surface clean by removing dust, dirt, oil and grease etc.
3. Make contact between the specimen surface and the ball by rotating the jack adjusting
wheel.

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 4. Push the required button for loading.
5. Pull the load release the levers wait for minimum 15 seconds. The load will automatically apply
gradually.
6. Remove the specimen from support table and locate the indentation so made.
7. Repeat the entire operation for three times.

Calculations:-
For Measurement of Rockwell hardness number
Serial no. Penetrator used Minor Load Major load Total load Rockwell hardness
(Kgf) (Kgf) (Kgf) no. (HRC)

Results:-
Rockwell hardness of the given mild steel specimen is ………… HRC

Precautions:-
The specimen should be clean properly
.

Conclusions of the present work (what new you have learnt

in today’s experiment):-
1.
2.
3.

Viva-voce Questions

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1. Define Hardness?
2. Define Unit of Rockwell hardness?
3. What is the effect of hardness on carbon reinforcement in sample?

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 Experiment No.:7

Object: - To perform the Heat treatment process and compare the hardness of the
specimen.

Apparatus Required:-
S. No. EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS REQUIRED Material required
1.  Electrically heated temperature controlled  Steel sample
Oven.
2  Cooling bath or bucket.
3  Job holding tong.
4  Rockwell hardness testing machine.

Brief Theory:-
Properties of metals and alloys can be changed by heating followed by cooling under definite
condition to make them suitable for specific applications. Accordingly steel can be hardened to
resist cutting action and prevent abrasion. The rate of cooling and manner of cooling are
important factors in heat treatment process. Heat treatment processes increases the hardness,
tensile strength as well as ductility of material. In annealing processes it is heated up to about
700 degree Celsius and furnace cooled. In normalizing it is heated between 800 degree Celsius to
950 degree Celsius and slowly cooled in air. In hardening process it is quenched in different
medium like water and oil. Fast cooling is being observed in case of water quenching.
Procedure:-

1. Heat the specimen about 950 degree Celsius.

2. Maintain it at this temperature for about 10 minutes.
3. Now take it out of the oven and suddenly dip in cooling bucket. This is quench
hardening process during which “Martensite” will form. The surface will become much
harder than earlier.
4. When the job cools, take it onto Rockwell hardness testing machine and determine the
hardness in usual manner.

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Results:-
1. The observed Rockwell hardness of heat treated steel is …………HRC (water as quenching
medium).
2. The observed Rockwell hardness of heat treated steel is …………HRC (oil as quenching
medium).

Precautions:-
1. The oven is electrically heated. Therefore take care to avoid burning from heat of the
furnace and shock due to electricity.
2. Do not hold the hot specimen by hand. Always use tongs to hold it.
3. The handle of tong should be plastic insulated.

Conclusions of the present work (what new you have learnt in

today’s experiment):-
1
2
3

Viva-voce Questions
1. Define Heat treatment process?
2. Define annealing, normalizing and hardening processes?
3. Explain how grain growth is a strong function of temperature?
4. Explain by which heat treatment process stresses of sample can be removed?

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 Experiment No.:8

Object: - Study of different engineering materials.

Table: 1 containing different engineering materials with their Mechanical and Electrical
properties

Different Nomenclature Structure Mechanical properties Electrical

Engineering properties
materials
Aluminum

Duralium

Magnesium

Zinc

Copper

Tin

Brass

Bronze

Chromium

Nickel

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 Experiment No.:9

Object: - To study the effect of deflection on simply supported beam, compare the actual
measurement of deflection with dial gauge to the calculated one and evaluate the value of young’s
modulus of beam.

Apparatus Required:-
S. No. EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS REQUIRED Material required
1.  Steel beams  Steel sample
2  Dial gauge
3  Weight pan

Brief Theory:-
The deflection of a beam, y, will depend on many factors such as: -

 The applied load F (F=m•g).

 The span L.
 The width of the beam b, and its thickness h.

Other factors such as position, method of loading, the material of which the beam is made will
also influence the deflection. If we wish to find the relationship between y and one of the
possible variables it is necessary to keep all the other possible variables constant throughout
the experiment.

3
F
*L
y =48*E*I

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L = length of beam (mm)
y = deflection of beam (mm)
F = force (N)
E = Young's Modulus (N/mm2)
I = moment of inertia of beam (mm4)

Procedure:-
1. Mount the steel beam as simply support condition and placed a dial gauge indication
at desired position over it supports properly and connect the plunger of dial gauge
indicator to the middle support of beam.
2. Apply load on the weight pan increasingly and note the corresponding deflection
value.
Calculation:-
L (length of beam) = ………… (mm)

Y (length of beam) =………. (mm)

Moment of Inertia (I)= …….. (mm4)

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 S.No. Width Length L Deflection y Young’s
b (mm) (mm) modulus (MPa)
(mm)

Results:-
1. Experimentally observed value of Deflection of simply supported beam = …………….(mm).
2. Theoretically observed value of Deflection of simply supported beam = ……………. (mm).
3. Observed value of Young’s modulus of elasticity = …………(MPa).

Precautions:-
1. Reading on dial indicator should be noted properly.
2. Placed the dial indication at desired location on the simply supported beam.

Conclusions of the present work (what new you have learnt in

today’s experiment):-
1.
2.
3.

Viva-voce Questions
1. Define young modulus of beam
2. Define moment of inertia.
3. Define simply support beam
4. Least count of dial indicator.

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 Experiment No.:10

Object:-Prepare the specimen for micro structural examination-cutting, grinding, polishing,

and etching.

Apparatus Required:-
S. No. EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS REQUIRED Material required
1.  Grinding machine  Mild steel
2  Abrasive paper sample
3  Etchant

Brief Theory:-
Metallography is the study of the microstructure of metals and alloys by means of microscopy. It
is an art and science of preparing, interpreting, and analyzing microstructures in materials, to
better understand materials behavior and performance. The method is used for the evaluation of
metallic materials in the various industries, including the aerospace industry, the automotive
industry and parts of the construction industry. It is also used for process control including the
examination of defects that appear in finished or partly finished products, as well as the studies
of parts that have failed during service. It is an important branch of the Metallurgical
Engineering.
A well prepared metallographic specimen is:
a. A representative sample
b. Sectioned, ground and polished so as to minimize disturbed or flowed surface metal caused by
mechanical deformation, and thus to allow the true microstructure to be revealed by etching.
c. Free from polishing scratches and pits and liquid staining
d. Flat enough to permit examination by optical microscope
Various steps involved in the specimen preparation, and the significance of each step: Many
steps in the preparation of metallographic specimens described here are also applicable in other
types of metallographic studies, such as electron microscopy, micro hardness testing, quantitative
measurement of constituents of structures, and electron microprobe analysis. Preparation of
metallographic specimens generally requires five major operations:
a. Sectioning
b. Mounting (which is necessary when the sample cannot be held properly due to its
Shape and/or size, while polishing)
c. Grinding

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d. Polishing
e. Etching
Procedure:
1. Start the grinding wheel motor and wait for it to come up to speed.
2. Gently lower the specimen to the center of the wheel. Once it is down apply pressure
and slowly move it to approximately half way to the edge of the wheel.
3. After grinding wheel polishing go for abrasive paper polishing.
4. After that use proper etchant for microstructural examination.

.Calculation:-

Polishing pressure =

Etchant name =

Abrasive paper grit size =

. Result:-
The mirror like polished specimen is ready for microstructural examination.

Precautions:-
1. Make sure your specimen is suitable for polishing/grinding. The polishing surface must
be flat and all edges (top and bottom) must be rounded (not sharp). Otherwise, there is a
good chance that the abrasive paper will grab the specimen and pull it from your hand.
2. Make sure your grinding paper is mounted properly. It should not be able to slip and all
air bubbles must be removed.
3. Make sure the rim is in place. Never operate the polisher/grinder without the rim in place.

Conclusions of the present work (what new you have learnt in

today’s experiment):-
1.
2.
3.

Viva-voce Questions

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1. Define Etchant.
2. Define grain.
3. Define grit size.
4. What is Grain boundary?

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