ASTM E3-11

Standard Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Microstructures have a strong influence on the properties and successful application of metals and alloys. Determination and control of microstructure requires the use of metallographic examination.
Many specifications contain a requirement regarding microstructure; hence, a major use for metallographic examination is inspection to ensure that the requirement is met. Other major uses for metallographic examination are in failure analysis, and in research and development.
Proper choice of specimen location and orientation will minimize the number of specimens required and simplify their interpretation. It is easy to take too few specimens for study, but it is seldom that too many are studied.
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2011
• ICS: 77.040.99 - Other methods of testing of metals
• Technical Committee: E04 - Metallography
• Drafting Committee: E04.01 - Specimen Preparation

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: E3 − 11
Standard Guide for
1
Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3; 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 (´) 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 E768 Guide for Preparing and Evaluating Specimens for
Automatic Inclusion Assessment of Steel
1.1 The primary objective of metallographic examinations
E1077 Test Methods for Estimating the Depth of Decarbur-
is to reveal the constituents and structure of metals and their
ization of Steel Specimens
alloys by means of a light optical or scanning electron
E1122 Practice for Obtaining JK Inclusion Ratings Using
microscope. In special cases, the objective of the examination
3
Automatic Image Analysis (Withdrawn 2006)
may require the development of less detail than in other cases
E1245 Practice for Determining the Inclusion or Second-
but, under nearly all conditions, the proper selection and
Phase Constituent Content of Metals byAutomatic Image
preparationofthespecimenisofmajorimportance.Becauseof
Analysis
the diversity in available equipment and the wide variety of
E1268 Practice for Assessing the Degree of Banding or
problems encountered, the following text presents for the
Orientation of Microstructures
guidance of the metallographer only those practices which
E1558 Guide for Electrolytic Polishing of Metallographic
experience has shown are generally satisfactory; it cannot and
Specimens
does not describe the variations in technique required to solve
E1920 Guide for Metallographic Preparation of Thermal
individual specimen preparation problems.
Sprayed Coatings
NOTE 1—For a more extensive description of various metallographic
techniques,refertoSamuels,L.E.,MetallographicPolishingbyMechani-
3. Terminology
cal Methods, American Society for Metals (ASM) Metals Park, OH, 3rd
Ed., 1982; Petzow, G., Metallographic Etching, ASM, 1978; and
3.1 Definitions:
VanderVoort, G., Metallography: Principles and Practice, McGraw Hill,
3.1.1 For definitions used in this practice, refer to Termi-
NY, 2nd Ed., 1999.
nology E7.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.1 castable mount—a metallographic mount generally
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
made from a two component castable plastic. One component
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
is the resin and the other hardener. Both components can he
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
liquid or one liquid and a powder. Castable mounts generally
do not require heat and pressure to cure.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.2 compression mount—a metallographic mount made
2.1 ASTM Standards:
using plastic that requires both heat and pressure for curing.
A90/A90M Test Method for Weight [Mass] of Coating on
2
Iron and SteelArticles with Zinc or Zinc-Alloy Coatings
3.2.3 planar grinding—is the first grinding step in a prepa-
E7 Terminology Relating to Metallography
ration procedure used to bring all specimens into the same
E45 Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of
plane of polish. It is unique to semi or fully automatic
Steel
preparation equipment that utilize specimen holders.
3.2.4 rigid grinding disc—a non-fabric support surface,
such as a composite of metal/ceramic or metal/polymer
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE04onMetallography
charged with an abrasive (usually 6 to 15µm diamond
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.01 on Specimen Preparation.
particles), and used as the fine grinding operation in a metal-
Current edition approved May 1, 2011. Published June 2011. Originally
ε1 lographic preparation procedure.
approved in 1921. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E3– 01(2007) . DOI:
10.1520/E0003-11.
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E3−11
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Microstructures have a strong influence on the proper-
ties and successful application of metals and alloys. Determi-
nation and contr
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:E3–01 (Reapproved 2007) Designation:E3–11
Standard Guide for
1
Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3; 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 (´) 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
´ NOTE—Section 13, Precision and Bias was editorially removed from the standard in March 2009.
1. 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;itcannotanddoesnotdescribethevariationsintechniquerequiredtosolveindividualspecimenpreparationproblems.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
A90/A90M Test Method for Weight [Mass] of Coating on Iron and Steel Articles with Zinc or Zinc-Alloy Coatings
E7 Terminology Relating to Metallography
E45 Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of Steel
E340Test Method for Macroetching Metals and Alloys
E407Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys
E768 Guide for Preparing and Evaluating Specimens for Automatic Inclusion Assessment of Steel
E1077 Test Methods for Estimating the Depth of Decarburization of Steel Specimens
E1122 Practice for Obtaining JK Inclusion Ratings Using Automatic Image Analysis
E1245 Practice for Determining the Inclusion or Second-Phase Constituent Content of Metals by Automatic Image Analysis
E1268 Practice for Assessing the Degree of Banding or Orientation of Microstructures
E1558 Guide for Electrolytic Polishing of Metallographic Specimens
E1920 Guide for Metallographic Preparation of Thermal Sprayed Coatings
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions used in this practice, refer to Terminology E7.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 castable mount—a metallographic mount generally made from a two component castable plastic. One component is the
1
This guide 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 July 1, 2007. Published September 2007. Originally approved in 1921. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as E3–01. DOI:
10.1520/E0003-01R07E01.
´1
Current edition approved May 1, 2011. Published June 2011. Originally approved in 1921. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as – 01(2007) . DOI:
10.1520/E0003-11.
2
“Manual Electron Metallography Techniques,” 1973. Available from ASTM Headquarters. Request STP 547.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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 ----------------------
E3–11
resin and the other hardener. Both components can he liquid or one liquid and a powder. Castable mounts generally do not require
heat and pressure to cure.
3.2.2 compression mount—a metallographic mount made using plastic that requires both heat
...