This paper shows the result of some metallographical examinations that have been
carried out on low-alloyed Cr-Mo-V heat resistant steel. The aim of this research is to present and
compare the advantages and disadvantages of the mainly applied metallographical methods. These
techniques are optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, replica method and special
applications of these methods. We have proved that using the investigated methods together gives
much more information about the lifetime of the specimen than using these techniques particularly.