ASTM E407-07(2015)

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 to highlight phases 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific cautionary statements, see 6.1 and Table 2.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2015
• ICS: 77.040.99 - Other methods of testing of metals
• Technical Committee: E04 - Metallography
• Drafting Committee: E04.01 - Specimen Preparation

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E407-07(2015)e1 - Standard Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: E407 − 07(Reapproved 2015)
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.Anumber 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 constituents, usually in color, by thin films formed by vacuum
deposition of a dielectric compound (such as ZnTe, ZnSe,
1.1 This practice covers chemical solutions and procedures
TiO ,ZnSorZnO)withaknownindexofrefraction,generally
2
to be used in etching metals and alloys for microscopic
duetolightinterferenceeffects(alsoknownasthe“Pepperhoff
examination. Safety precautions and miscellaneous informa-
method”).
tion are also included.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Summary of Practice
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 Table1 is an alphabetical listing of the metals (includ-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ing rare earths) and their alloys for which etching information
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
is available. For each metal and alloy, one or more etchant
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
numbers and their corresponding use is indicated. Alloys are
cautionary statements, see 6.1 and Table2.
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
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
preference. The numbers of electrolytic etchants are italicized
E7Terminology Relating to Metallography
to differentiate them from nonelectrolytic etchants.
E2014Guide on Metallographic Laboratory Safety
4.2 Table2 is a numerical listing of all the etchants refer-
3. Terminology enced in Table1and includes the composition and general
procedure to be followed for each etchant.
3.1 Definitions:
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 Table1 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 Table2corresponding to the etchant number.
contrast, often selective to a particular constituent in the
4.4 If the common name of an etchant is known (Marble’s,
microstructure, due to a thin oxide, sulfide, molybdate, chro-
Vilella’s, etc.), and it is desired to know the composition,
mate or elemental selenium film on the polished surface that
Table3contains an alphabetical listing of etchant names, each
reveals the structure due to variations in light interference
codedwithanumbercorrespondingtotheetchantcomposition
effects as a function of the film thickness (also called a ''stain
given in Table2.
etch”).
3.2.2 vapor-deposition interference layer method— a tech-
5. Significance and Use
niqueforproducingenhancedcontrastbetweenmicrostructural
5.1 This practice lists recommended methods and solutions
for the etching of specimens for metallographic examination.
Solutions are listed to highlight phases present in most major
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E04 on Metallog-
raphy and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.01 on Specimen alloy systems.
Preparation.
Current edition approved June 1, 2015. Published September 2015. Originally
6. Safety Precautions
ɛ1
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E407–07 . DOI:
10.1520/E0407-07R15.
6.1 Beforeusingormixinganychemicals,allproductlabels
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and pertinent Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) should be
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
read and understood concerning all of the hazards and safety
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. precautions to be observed. Users should be aware of the type
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E407 − 07 (2015)
of hazards involved in the use of all chemicals used, including lowest useable concentration will significantly reduce risk.
those hazards that are immediate, long-term,
...

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 E407 − 07 (Reapproved 2015)
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—Table 2 was editorially corrected in May 2011.
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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. For specific cautionary statements, see 6.1 and Table 2.
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 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”).
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 nonelectrolytic etchants.
4.2 Table 2 is a numerical listing of all the etchants referenced in Table 1and 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 1 and note the etchant numbers corresponding to the results
desired. The etchant composition and procedure is then located in Table 2corresponding to the etchant number.
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 May 1, 2007June 1, 2015. Published May 2007September 2015. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 19992007 as
ɛ1
E407–99–07 . DOI: 10.1520/E0407-07.10.1520/E0407-07R15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. 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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E407 − 07 (2015)
4.4 If the common name of an etchant is known (Marble’s, Vilella’s, etc.), and it is desired to know the composition,
Table 3contains an alphabetical listing of etchant names, each coded with a number corresponding to the etchant composition given
in Table 2.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This practice lists recommended methods and solutions for the etching of specimens for metallographic examination.
Solutions are listed to highlight phases present in most major alloy systems.
6.
...