SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 17 April 2019
STP160720170242

A New Approach for Color Metallography: Through Controlled Conditions to Objective Microstructure Analysis of Low-Carbon Steels by LePera-Etching

Source

Although metallography is a very old discipline, its importance is growing steadily. High-performance materials need an accurate evaluation of the microstructure to guarantee the ever-tightening specifications in the range of properties and to control the production process. With the continuously growing demand of well-tailored microstructures, in most cases with smaller and more complex constituents of defined geometry, the requirements for reproducible metallography are also more and more challenging. In this contribution, we want to show how new trends in metallography can help scientists and engineers ensure reproducibility in their daily work with etching routines governed by controlled and monitored systems. The presented setup keeps all critical parameters during color-etching constant. Thus the reproducibility and homogeneity of LePera etching on low-alloyed steel can be guaranteed. Furthermore, a parameter study for LePera was conducted not only to show the application range of critical parameters such as temperature and time but also to find the best parameter setting for an automated phase-separation toward image analysis and microstructural classification. With the help of a focused ion beam, quantitative correlations of the etching mechanism can also be derived.

Author Information

Britz, Dominik
Dept. of Material Science and Engineering, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, DE Material Engineering Center Saarland (MECS), Steinbeis Research Center, Saarbrücken, DE
Steimer, Yannik
Dept. of Material Science and Engineering, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, DE Material Engineering Center Saarland (MECS), Steinbeis Research Center, Saarbrücken, DE
Mücklich, Frank
Dept. of Material Science and Engineering, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, DE Material Engineering Center Saarland (MECS), Steinbeis Research Center, Saarbrücken, DE
Price: $25.00
Contact Sales
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Developed by Committee: E04
Pages: 130–151
DOI: 10.1520/STP160720170242
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-7660-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-7659-1