Objectives:

1. To Study the microstructure of the given Ferrous and non-Ferrous alloys.

2. To calculate the grain size and ASTM grain size number of these alloys.

3. To estimate the carbon composition of the steel specimen.

Abstract:

In this experiment we examined the sample, which we conducted the grinding,

polishing and etching on it, on the microscope and observed all grains which appears
on the surface. Then we calculated the ASTM grain size number.

Introduction:

The microscope is used to examine the surfaces of the samples on which the grinding,
polishing and etching processes were performed on it, in order to observe the grain
and calculate ASTM grin size number and to explain the relationship between the
grain size and the strength.

Apparatus and materials:

1. Optical Microscope attached with PC or monitor.

Figure 1 Optical Microscope

 2. Etched Steel and Aluminum alloy specimen.

Figure 2 Etched Aluminum alloy

3. An equal squares divided sheet and line sheet.

Figure 3 Equal squares sheets

Figure 4 lines sheet

Procedure:

1. The steel and Aluminum specimen must be prepared (grinding, polishing and
etching).
2. Mount the specimen to the microscope stage and focus by raising or lowering
the stage.
3. Observe the microstructure of the specimen under different magnification.
4. Save the best micrograph you have chosen.
Figure 5 steel under microscope

Figure 6 Aluminum under microscope

Figure 7 Aluminum on the PC by WinPVR

Figure 8 Steel on PC

Results and discussion:

From the microscope picture and line sheet we have for Steel specimen :

Line No. No. of grains

Line 1 5
Line 2 4
Line 3 3
Line 4 4
Line 5 4
Line 6 4
Line 7 4

Total No. of grains 28

 Figure 9 Line sheet to cla. grains in
steel
Figure 10Squares sheet for the steel

******

-Total No. of grains= 28.

-Total No. Of Lines= 7.

-Total magnification= 100x.

Line length= 15cm ( 5.91 inches).

Total no. of squares = 1015.

Total no. of white squares = 103.

**Based on the previous data, the average grain size=

(Length / total No. of grains) * (Total No. of lines/ Total magnification).

Avg. grain size= (5.91/28) * (7/100) = 0.014775 in^2.

** The ASTM No. =

N= 2^ (n-1)

0.014775 = 2^ (n-1)

Log 0.014775 = n-1 * log2

n= (log 0.014775/ log 2) + 1 = -5.080698.

**Carbon percentage using Square divided sheet:

-Total No. of white squares = 103

-Total no. of squares = 1015

Y% = ((0.76-X) / (0.76-0.022)) * 100%, where: X: represent the carbon %.

Y%: percentage of ferrite.

Y% = (No. of white squares / Total No. of squares) * 100%

Y% = (103 / 1015) * 100% = 10.1478 %

So, 0.101478= (0.76-x)/(0.76-0.022)

X= 0.68511 = 68.511%.

For Aluminum specimen

Line No. No. of grains

Line 1 11
Line 2 10
Line 3 10
Line 4 11
Line 5 11
Line 6 12
Line 7 10

Total No. of grains 75

Figure 11 line sheet of aluminum

Figure 12 Squares sheet for aluminum

Total No. of grains= 75.

-Total No. Of Lines= 7.

-Total magnification= 100x.

Line length= 15cm ( 5.91 inches).

Total no. of squares = 1015.

Total no. of white squares = 225

**Based on the previous data, the average grain size=

(Length / total No. of grains) * (Total No. of lines/ Total magnification).

Avg. grain size= (5.91/75) * (7/100) = 0.005516 in^2.

** The ASTM No. =

N= 2^ (n-1)
0.005516 = 2^ (n-1)

Log 0.005516 = n-1 * log2

n= (log 0.005516/ log 2) + 1 = -6.50216.

**Carbon percentage using Square divided sheet:

-Total No. of white squares = 225

-Total no. of squares = 1015

Y% = ((0.76-X) / (0.76-0.022)) * 100%, where: X: represent the carbon %.

Y%: percentage of ferrite.

There is NO carbon in Al.

So, we don’t need to do calculations in this part.

Conclusion:

In this experiment we study and discussed the microscope to calculate grain size using
lined sheet and the appropriate formula, and the ASTM No., and the carbon
percentage(X), also the percentage of ferrite depending on No. of white square
counted from the picture using square sheet.

Recommendation:

We recommend that you provide more equipment and all the tools needed for the
operations that all students can do the experiment to the fullest.

References:
Engineering material and metallurgy laboratory manual.