Micrographic examination in a laboratory

Micrographic examination using optical microscopy can be carried out to inspect the overall health of a metallic material (to verify that its structure is as expected), or as part of expert failure analysis.

Obtaining a suitable surface for metallographic examination requires a series of operations, from sampling to etching or micrographic revelation processes including grinding and polishing.

Carrying out micrographic examinations on a prepared surface under an optical microscope makes it possible to determine the nature of the structure, grain size, the nature and the content of inclusions but also to highlight the possible presence of a heat treatment or surface treatment.

If necessary, the prepared surface can also be studied under a Scanning Electron Microscope paired with an EDX microprobe (SEM-EDX) to identify the chemical nature of unknown precipitates and inclusions or to specifically characterize the stacking of a surface treatment (ex. in the case of a galvanoplastic coating).