ASTM E407-23
(Practice)Standard Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys
Standard Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice lists recommended methods and solutions for the etching of specimens for metallographic examination. Solutions are listed that highlight the phases and constituents present in most major alloy systems.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers chemical solutions and procedures to be used in etching metals and alloys for microscopic examination. Safety precautions and miscellaneous information are also included.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific cautionary statements, see 6.1 and Table 2.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E407 − 23
Standard Practice for
1
Microetching Metals and Alloys
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E407; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope reveals the structure due to variations in light interference
effects as a function of the film thickness (also called a “stain
1.1 This practice covers chemical solutions and procedures
etch”).
to be used in etching metals and alloys for microscopic
examination. Safety precautions and miscellaneous informa-
3.2.2 vapor-deposition interference layer method— a tech-
tion are also included.
nique for producing enhanced contrast between microstructural
constituents, usually in color, by thin films formed by vacuum
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
deposition of a dielectric compound (such as ZnTe, ZnSe,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
TiO , ZnS or ZnO) with a known index of refraction, generally
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 2
due to light interference effects (also known as the “Pepperhoff
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
method”).
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
For specific cautionary statements, see 6.1 and Table 2.
4. Summary of Practice
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.1 Table 1 is an alphabetical listing of the metals (includ-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ing rare earths) and their alloys for which etching information
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
is available. For each metal and alloy, one or more etchant
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
numbers and their corresponding use is indicated. Alloys are
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
listed as a group or series when one or more etchants are
common to the group or series. Specific alloys are listed only
2. Referenced Documents
when necessary. When more than one etchant number is given
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
for a particular use, they are usually given in order of
E7 Terminology Relating to Metallography
preference. The numbers of electrolytic etchants are italicized
E2014 Guide on Metallographic Laboratory Safety
to differentiate them from non-electrolytic etchants.
4.2 Table 2 is a numerical listing of all the etchants refer-
3. Terminology
enced in Table 1 and includes the composition and general
3.1 Definitions:
procedure to be followed for each etchant.
3.1.1 For definition of terms used in this standard, see
4.3 To use the tables, look up the metal or alloy of interest
Terminology E7.
in Table 1 and note the etchant numbers corresponding to the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
results desired. The etchant composition and procedure is then
3.2.1 tint etch—an immersion etchant that produces color
located in Table 2, corresponding to the etchant number.
contrast, often selective to a particular constituent in the
microstructure, due to a thin oxide, sulfide, molybdate, chro-
4.4 If the common name of an etchant is known (Marble’s,
mate or elemental selenium film on the polished surface that
Vilella’s, etc.), and it is desired to know the composition,
Table 3 contains an alphabetical listing of etchant names, each
coded with a number corresponding to the etchant composition
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E04 on Metallog-
given in Table 2.
raphy and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.01 on Specimen
Preparation.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published November 2023. Originally
5. Significance and Use
ɛ1
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E407–07(2015) .
DOI: 10.1520/E0407-23.
5.1 This practice lists recommended methods and solutions
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
for the etching of specimens for metallographic examination.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Solutions are listed that highlight the phases and constituents
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. present in most major alloy systems.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
´1
Designation: E407 − 07 (Reapproved 2015) E407 − 23
Standard Practice for
1
Microetching Metals and Alloys
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E407; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1
ε NOTE—Originally approved date was editorially corrected to 1970 in footnote 1 in January 2016.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers chemical solutions and procedures to be used in etching metals and alloys for microscopic examination.
Safety precautions and miscellaneous information are also included.
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 healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific cautionary statements, see 6.1 and Table 2.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
E7 Terminology Relating to Metallography
E2014 Guide on Metallographic Laboratory Safety
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definition of terms used in this standard, see Terminology E7.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 tint etch—an immersion etchant that produces color contrast, often selective to a particular constituent in the microstructure,
due to a thin oxide, sulfide, molybdate, chromate or elemental selenium film on the polished surface that reveals the structure due
to variations in light interference effects as a function of the film thickness (also called a ''stain“stain etch”).
3.2.2 vapor-deposition interference layer method— a technique for producing enhanced contrast between microstructural
constituents, usually in color, by thin films formed by vacuum deposition of a dielectric compound (such as ZnTe, ZnSe, TiO , ZnS
2
or ZnO) with a known index of refraction, generally due to light interference effects (also known as the “Pepperhoff method”).
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E04 on Metallography and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.01 on Specimen Preparation.
Current edition approved June 1, 2015Nov. 1, 2023. Published September 2015November 2023. Originally approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 20072015
ɛ1
as E407E407–07(2015)–07 . DOI: 10.1520/E0407-07R15E01.10.1520/E0407-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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E407 − 23
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Table 1 is an alphabetical listing of the metals (including rare earths) and their alloys for which etching information is
available. For each metal and alloy, one or more etchant numbers and their corresponding use is indicated. Alloys are listed as a
group or series when one or more etchants are common to the group or series. Specific alloys are listed only when necessary. When
more than one etchant number is given for a particular use, they are usually given in order of preference. The numbers of
electrolytic etchants are italicized to differentiate them from nonelectrolyticnon-electrolytic etchants.
4.2 Table 2 is a numerical listing of all the etchants referenced in Table 1andTable 1 and includes the composition and general
procedure to be followed for each etchant.
4.3 To use the tables, look up the metal or alloy of interest in Table 1Table 1 and note the etchant numbers corresponding to the
results desired. The etchant composition and procedure is then located in Table 2correspondingTable 2, corresponding to the
etchant number.
4.4 If the
...
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