DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND BUILD ENVIRONMENT
LAB 1: SAMPLE PREPARATION
SURNAME : Thobejane
INITIALS : LK
STUDENT NO : 222231672
COURSE : Mechanical Engineering
MODULE : Material Science and Manufacturing
DATE : 20/10/2022
I confirm that this assignment is my work, is not copied from any other person's work, and
has not previously been submitted for assessment either at the University of Johannesburg or
elsewhere.
Signed………………………………………. Date ………………………………………….
Acknowledgment:
I would like to acknowledge the Lab technicians for giving us guidance in
the laboratory throughout the practical session, also I would like to
acknowledge the lecture on Material Science and Manufacturing Mr.
Mukhawana For preparing us in the class and providing us with the theory
before we went for the practical, I want to also give thanks to my fellow
group members for being easy and fun to work with.
Content Page
Contents
1. Aim................................................................................................................................................4
2. Introduction (Background/ Literature)..........................................................................................4
3. List of equipment...........................................................................................................................5
4. Experimental Setup and Methodology..............................................................................................8
4. Results...........................................................................................................................................9
5. Discussion and conclusion.............................................................................................................9
References.............................................................................................................................................9
1. Aim
This experiment's goal is to describe metallography and its use to examine the microstructure
of materials.
2. Introduction (Background/ Literature)
While The study of the composition and structure of metals and alloys is known as
metallography. visual examination of a specimen can reveal a lot, and more approaches to
overcome call both magnification and surface preparation. For general examination, optical
microscopy is sufficient. Advanced examination and research laboratories frequently have
electron microscopes (SEM and TEM), x-ray and electron diffractometers, and potentially
other scanning instruments.
Inadequate sample preparation methods could change the sample's true microstructure, which
would almost certainly lead to incorrect conclusions. That the microstructure shouldn't be
changed follows logically. If the metallurgist is not vigilant, hot or cold work may take place
during the specimen preparation process. It is necessary to be knowledgeable about the
techniques used to create high-quality metallographic samples.
3. List of equipment
a) Cut-Off Machine
Figure 1: Cut-Off Machine (supply, 2022)
b. Mounting Press
Figure 2: Mounting Press (Member, 2014)
c. Grinding Machine
Figure 3: Grinding Machine (PNG, 2018)
Polishing Machine
Figure 4: Polishing Machine (Group, 2022)
4. Experimental Setup and Methodology
During The Practical we used a 304 steel as our specimen
a) Sectioning
Abrasive-cutter was used to cut the specimen with water activated to cool it down
b) Mounting
Mounting Press Machine was used to mount the specimen to be properly handled
during the grinding and polishing processes. The specimen was mounted with a
Bakelite at a temperature of 200 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes
c) Grinding
First grinding, the specimen was placed flat on a 220-grit abrasive to avoid skewness
of the specimen.
followed by second grinding using 500 grit abrasive
third grinding using 800 grit abrasive
fourth grinding using 1000 grit abrasive
and the last grinding using 1200 grit abrasive
Water taps were activated in every grinding process to cool down the specimen.
d) Polishing
With polishing, the specimen was rotated on the grit abrasive rotating in a different
direction to give it a shiny surface without scratches.
Diamond liquid was used to lubricate the abrasive
The process was repeated until the surface of the specimen was shiny.
After polishing, the specimen was carefully rinsed and dried.
e) Etching
The Polished specimen was placed in an electrolyte so that it may be able to
produce a grain vision during microphotography
5. Results
After every process mentioned above was done, the specimen produced a grain vision on a
microscope and the grain sizes were ananalyzed
6. Discussion and conclusion
The practical was successfully conducted but we ran into some issues of having a scratched
surface of the specimen and we had to go back and grind the specimen again on the grinder of
1200 grit abrasive, also had to repeat the polishing process.
7. References
Group, H. (2022, October 10). HST Group. Retrieved from HST Group:
http://www.hstmetall.com/PRODUCT/Grinding___Polishing_machine/300.html
Member, D. (2014, Sepember 15). MAde-In-China. Retrieved from Made In China:
https://sinowon2014.en.made-in-china.com/product/SKLJkAaVgPWe/China-
Metallography-Manual-Hot-Mounting-Press-Machine-MP2-45-.html
PNG, F. (2018, March 27). FAVPNG. Retrieved from FAVPNG:
https://favpng.com/png_view/metallography-polishing-grinding-machine-metallurgy-
png/TgF6ikhJ
supply, L. E. (2022, October 10). Laboratory Equipment supply. Retrieved from Laboratory
Equipment supply: https://labequip.co.za/product/laboratory-core-trimmer-and-cut-
off-machine-utr-0300/
