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  • 1.  Minimum List of metallography Lab Equipment

    Posted 05-04-2023 10:49
    I am trying to create a list of minimum set of equipment to have in a Metallography lab related to a corrosion testing station. I would appreciate any experience there. Thank you!
    Alain Adjorlolo, PhD
    IMAT Conference & Expo


  • 2.  RE: Minimum List of metallography Lab Equipment

    Posted 05-05-2023 07:38
    Edited by Colin Fletcher 05-05-2023 07:40

    I expect targeted cross-sections to be important for corrosion evaluation, so I would start with the following equipment:

    1) Camera for documenting overall condition prior to sectioning.
    2) Small high speed saw - the ones that use wafering blades. These are good for general sectioning of smaller parts.
    3) Cold mounting media and appropriate mounting cups.
    4) Polisher. This, of course, requires an array of consumables.
    5) Quality microscope and acquisition camera.

    If surface examination is required, a stereomicroscope (with camera) or equivalent is also good to have. Do you know what kinds of testing you expect to do?



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    Colin Fletcher, PE
    Sr. Advanced Materials Engineer
    Honeywell Aerospace
    Cary NC
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  • 3.  RE: Minimum List of metallography Lab Equipment

    Posted 05-05-2023 09:53

    If you are testing corrosion rates, then you will need a high quality digital scale that can register grams to 3 (or 4) decimal points. You will also need calipers or a micrometer that can measure to at least 3 digits.



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    Aaron Tanzer
    Principal Research Engineer
    University of Dayton Research Institute
    Beavercreek OH
    (407) 247-9557
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  • 4.  RE: Minimum List of metallography Lab Equipment

    Posted 05-08-2023 08:34

    An Archimedes density setup is an excellent accessory to a digital balance for corrosion testing.

    ·        Verifying sample density can reveal microporosity which can strongly affect corrosion rates.

    ·        It can be very helpful to determine the density of corrosion products (assuming they're massive).

    ·        Measurements can be taken mid-way through a corrosion test, without drying the sample.

     

    Best Regards,

    GIW Industries, Inc. (A KSB Company)
    Advanced Manufacturing Engineer – Metallurgy & Foundry Systems


    Paul Taylor

    5000 Wrightsboro Road
    Grovetown, Ga 30813
    Tel.: +1 706-863-1011 ext 2559

    Cell : +1 706-830-4394
    Fax: +1 706-868-8025
    Email:     paul.taylor@ksb.com

    http://www.giwindustries.com

     




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  • 5.  RE: Minimum List of metallography Lab Equipment

    Posted 05-05-2023 10:05

    The type of testing that you plan to do would be important to know. Will you need to section and mount samples? Or will you be rating samples based on macroscopic examination? Some corrosion standards are pass/fail based on the number and/or size of visible spots of corrosion. Such a test does not require any fancy equipment for evaluation, other than maybe a low powered stereoscope. Other tests might require weighing the samples before and after exposure, which would require a precise balance.

    Another comment mentions a camera, which will definitely be needed regardless. If you aren't very experienced with macroscopic photography, try to find a physical camera store, look around, and talk to the staff. It can be difficult to get good pictures of metal, particularly chrome plated or polished, but there are light diffusers and reflectors that allow you to light things indirectly that can help. You will also want a good photo stand for holding a camera and lights.

    I prefer digital cameras that have a movable screen. In other words, the screen on the back flips up and rotates so that you can see it when it is mounted on a stand and pointing downward. There are various models from different manufacturers that have that feature. I currently use a Canon CoolPix P100. Nothing fancy, just a consumer grade digital camera.



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    Ken Kirby
    Snap-on, Inc.
    Kenosha WI
    (262) 748-3836
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  • 6.  RE: Minimum List of metallography Lab Equipment

    Posted 05-05-2023 11:47

    When I sort of retired I set up a small metallography lab at home with a metallographic microscope with polarised light and DIC, a stereomicroscope, a grinder-polisher and a mounting press, the latter two both second-hand from lab closures. Working in the field of archaeometallurgy I am regularly looking at sections through corroded surfaces but am not, generally, using industrial type corrosion tests. The reason I go for hot mounting in a conducting resin is because everything will be analysed by microprobe, and also better edge protection on small samples. Another aspect is that cold mounting can get messy and is not ideal in a domestic environment. It is useful, though, on heavily corroded materials with low viscosity resin and vacuum impregnation. 

    The two mictscopes were bought new together with camera and software, including image analysis, and cost around USD 5,000 in total. The company that assembles them is only an hour away from my house, which was good for an urgent repair during lockdown.

    Good luck with your lab



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    Peter Northover
    Retired
    University of Oxford
    +44 1865 820543
    peter.northover@retired.ox.ac.uk
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