Metallographic Sample Preparation

RSIME utilizes several techniques for preparing material samples for analysis including metallographic preparation for either microstructural or macrostructural analysis or fracture face replication.

Standard microstructural analysis of metallic components generally involves cutting,  mounting, grinding, polishing and etching the sample(s).   This procedure generally requires the component to be available for destructive testing.
Macroetching involves taking a cross-section of the large component, grinding and polishing the surface and etching the piece. Macroetching is generally done to evaluate a large crosssection of material such as a weld or casting. Macro etching is used to visually analyze the degree of microstructural segregation.  Macroetching involves destructive testing.

RSIME can provide non-destructive analysis of surface integrity, surface roughness or microstructure through various replication techniques. Replication techniques should be considered for components that cannot be readily destroyed for analysis, are otherwise inaccessible, are out in the field, or are too large for analysis using a Scanning Electron Microscope.  In some projects, where it is not possible to use standard non-destructive techniques (such as magnetic particle inspection or ultrasonic testing) to determine whether a crack is present in the material, it is possible to use replication techniques to evaluate the surface integrity of a component and determine whether or not a crack is present.