9/1/2015

Introduction

Laboratory work is an integral part of the course

of study of an engineer.

As a student, it is very important to be able to:

Microscopic Examination

Properly conduct an experiment with the use of
scientific apparatus
Heat Treatment
Use the derived results to determine values of
engineering constants

Write a complete report.

Writing a Laboratory Report

1
 9/1/2015

Objective: To identify the microstructure of

typical ferrous metals.

Ferrous versus Non-Ferrous

In simple terms, ferrous metals are those

which contain considerable amount of iron,
whilst non ferrous metals are those that do
not have any iron content.

In metallurgy, a non-
non-ferrous metal is any metal,
including alloys, that does not contain iron in
appreciable amounts.

These include:

Aluminum

Copper

Lead

Nickel

Tin

Titanium

Zinc and alloys such as brass etc.

2

A carefully prepared specimen and
magnification are needed for microscopic
examination. Proper preparation of the
specimen and the material’s surface requires
that a rigid step-by-step process be followed.
Procedure in the Lab Manual
1. Preparation of samples
2. Etching of samples
9/1/2015
Process that studies the structure of materials
under magnification. The properties of a
material determine how it will perform under a
given application and these properties are
dependent on the material’s structure.
Industrial processes or treatments such as
casting, welding and heat treating are often
applied to metals to prepare them for
particular applications and to improve their
characteristics and properties.
1. Grind on rotating disk with 240,400 & 600
grade abrasive paper.
2. Rinse with water to remove particles.
3. After the grinding is complete, the
specimen is polished by means of a rotating
cloth impregnated with a suitable diamond,
silicon carbide or alumina paste.
4. Rinse with water and soap to remove any
contaminants on the surface
3

In order to reveal the structure, the mirror-like
surface of the specimen has to be etched lightly
to reveal details of the microstructure.
Metals are opaque to light of visible wavelengths
and the contrast across the surface is obtained by
reflection.

Parts of the structure of high energy are the
grain boundary interfaces or two-phase
interfaces. Depending on the nature of the
chemical attacks, these regions may be
preferentially dissolved so that their
intersection with the polished surface are
delineated as fine grooves or line traces.
9/1/2015
There are three principal sources of contrast:

Chemical attack may be sensitive to the crystal
orientation, leaving exposed small facets of
planes of certain {HKL} indices. The result is
that the light is reflected from adjacent crystals
in different directions and consequently reveals
the grain structure as areas of variable
darkness.

Variation in chemical composition within an
alloy inevitably means that the etchant attacks
some regions more rapidly than others either
removing one phase preferentially, or staining
parts of the structure to give contrast.
4
 9/1/2015

Use togs and protective gear to avoid skin

contact with etchant

Cover the surface of the sample with the
applicable etchant for 45-60 seconds.

Rinse with soap and water and allow to dry
with moderate heat.

Examine surface under microscope.

Diagrams before and after grinding Objective: To identify the Microstructural

Diagrams before and after etching

Microscopic images and structure
identification
changes in hardness of high carbon steel
as a result of quenching, tempering,
normalizing and annealing.

Discussion

Conclusion

5
 9/1/2015

Carbon steels may be specified by chemical

composition, mechanical properties, method of
Quenching –
deoxidation, or thermal treatment (and the resulting
microstructure).

Tempering –
No single element controls the characteristics of a steel;
rather, the combined effects of several elements
influence hardness, machinability, corrosion resistance,
tensile strength, deoxidation of the solidifying metal,
Annealing –
and microstructure of the solidified metal.

Effects of carbon, the principal hardening and
Normalizing -

strengthening element in steel, include increased
hardness and strength and decreased weldability and
ductility.

6
 9/1/2015

The Brinell hardness number and the ductility for

fine pearlite, coarse pearlite, and spheroidite are
shown in the figure below. Apparatus: Furnace, Hardness tester, grinder/polisher, four

samples of carbon steel (water hardening), quenching media,

tongs and safety equipment.

Procedure: Heat the specimens provided to the following

conditions

a. Annealed at 820°C

b. Normalized at 820°C

c. Water quenched from 840°C

d. Water quenched from 840°C and tempered at 600°C

Prepare Sample for Microscopic Examination

Grind and polish specimens for microscopic study as explained
in the Lab#1.
The following etchants can be used:
4% picric acid in alcohol
2% Nitric acid in alcohol
FeCl3 + HCl + H2O

Use light microscope to inspect the microstructures produced

by different heat treatments. Determine the mechanical
properties produced by the heat treatments by performing
micro hardness measurements.

7
 9/1/2015

1. "Ferrous." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-

Webster, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2014.
NB: Comparison table :
http://www.marylandmetrics.com/tech/hardnessconversion.html 2. Callister, 2012., 7th edition. Material Science
and Engineering. Retrieved Aug. 28, 2014