Introduction to Metallographic Study

Abstract

The quality assurance of materials in every process depends on materials science and engineering, since the characterization of materials is a fundamental process, for their control and innovation, as well as their proper functioning. In the synthesis of new materials, their properties depend not only on the type of raw material used (metal, polymer, ceramic, composite material), but also on the morphology acquired in the synthesis, structure, microstructure, etc. of the material obtained, hence the importance of metallographic characterization. Metallography is the science that deals with the microscopic study of the structural characteristics of a metal or an alloy, to study the microstructure, inclusions, as well as the thermal treatments to which the material has been subjected, in order to determine if the material complies with the specifications established in the Standards applicable to the design requirements for a specific use. The objective of this study was to present the basic techniques for the preparation of specimens to be evaluated metallographically, addressing the following topics: Generalities, Atomic structure: Nucleation and atoms, Crystal structure: Perfect crystals and crystals with imperfections. Substructure: Subgrains and other cellular structures, Microstructure: Grains of single metallic phases and configuration arrangements of alloys with multiple phase systems, Texture. Macrostructure. and Metallographic practice applicable to all metals. It is concluded that this study lays the foundations for subsequent and specific metallographic studies of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys.