Standard Practice for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens

SCOPE
1.1 The primary objective of metallographic examinations is to reveal the constituents and structure of metals and their alloys by means of a light optical or scanning electron microscope. In special cases, the objective of the examination may require the development of less detail than in other cases but, under nearly all conditions, the proper selection and preparation of the specimen is of major importance. Because of the diversity in available equipment and the wide variety of problems encountered, the following text presents for the guidance of the metallographer only those practices which experience has shown are generally satisfactory; it cannot and does not describe the variations in technique required to solve individual specimen preparation problems.
Note 1--For a more extensive description of various metallographic techniques, refer to Samuels, L. E.,  Metallographic Polishing by Mechanical Methods, American Society for Metals (ASM) Metals Park, OH, 3rd Ed., 1982; Petzow, G.,  Metallographic Etching, ASM, 1978; and VanderVoort, G., Metallography: Principles and Practice, McGraw Hill, NY, 2nd Ed., 1999.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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Historical
Publication Date
09-Apr-2001
Technical Committee
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:E3–01
Standard Guide for
1
Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 3; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope E 768 Practice for Preparing and Evaluating Specimens for
2
Automatic Inclusion Assessment of Steel
1.1 The primary objective of metallographic examinations
E 1077 Test Method for Estimating the Depth of Decarbur-
is to reveal the constituents and structure of metals and their
2
ization of Steel Specimens
alloys by means of a light optical or scanning electron
E 1122 Practice for Obtaining JK Inclusion Ratings Using
microscope. In special cases, the objective of the examination
2
Automatic Image Analysis
may require the development of less detail than in other cases
E 1245 Practice for Determining the Inclusion or Second-
but, under nearly all conditions, the proper selection and
Phase Constituent Content of Metals by Automatic Image
preparationofthespecimenisofmajorimportance.Becauseof
2
Analysis
the diversity in available equipment and the wide variety of
E 1268 Practice for Assessing the Degree of Banding or
problems encountered, the following text presents for the
2
Orientation of Microstructures
guidance of the metallographer only those practices which
E 1558 Guide to Electrolytic Polishing of Metallographic
experience has shown are generally satisfactory; it cannot and
2
Specimens
does not describe the variations in technique required to solve
E 1920 Guide for Metallographic Preparation of Thermal
individual specimen preparation problems.
2
Sprayed Coatings
NOTE 1—For a more extensive description of various metallographic
techniques,refertoSamuels,L.E., Metallographic Polishing by Mechani-
3. Terminology
cal Methods, American Society for Metals (ASM) Metals Park, OH, 3rd
3.1 Definitions:
Ed., 1982; Petzow, G., Metallographic Etching, ASM, 1978; and Vander-
3.1.1 For definitions used in this practice, refer to Termi-
Voort, G., Metallography: Principles and Practice,McGrawHill,NY,2nd
nology E 7.
Ed., 1999.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.1 castable mount—a metallographic mount generally
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
made from a two component castable plastic. One component
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
is the resin and the other hardener. Both components can he
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
liquid or one liquid and a powder. Castable mounts generally
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
do not require heat and pressure to cure.
3.2.2 compression mount—a metallographic mount made
2. Referenced Documents
using plastic that requires both heat and pressure for curing.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.3 planar grinding—is the first grinding step in a prepa-
A 90/A 90M Standard Test Method for Weight (Mass) of
ration procedure used to bring all specimens into the same
Coating on Iron and Steel with Zinc or Zinc-Alloy
plane of polish. It is unique to semi or fully automatic
Coatings
2 preparation equipment that utilize specimen holders.
E 7 Terminology Relating to Metallography
3.2.4 rigid grinding disc—a non-fabric support surface,
E 45 Practice for Determining the Inclusion Content of
2 such as a composite of metal/ceramic or metal/polymer
Steel
2 charged with an abrasive (usually 6 to 15µm diamond par-
E 340 Test Method for Macroetching Metals and Alloys
2 ticles), and used as the fine grinding operation in a metallo-
E 407 Test Methods for Microetching Metals and Alloys
graphic preparation procedure.
4. Significance and Use
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE04onMetallography
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.01 on Sampling, Specimen
4.1 Microstructures have a strong influence on the proper-
Preparation, and Photography.
ties and successful application of metals and alloys. Determi-
Current edition approved April 10, 2001. Published July 2001. Originally
nation and control of microstructure requires the use of
published asE3–21T. Last previous editionE3–95.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01. metallographic examination.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E3
4.2 Many specifications contain a requirement regarding 5.3.5 Depth of corrosion,
microstructure; hence, a major use for metallogr
...

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