Structure Of Metals Through Optical Microscopy

Methods of scientific investigation can be divided into two categories: they are either macroscopic or microscopic in nature. The former are generally older, classical methods where the sample as a whole is studied and various local prop erties are deduced by differentiation. The microscopic methods, on the other hand, have been discovered and developed more recently, and they operate for the most part on an atomistic scale. Glancing through the shelves of books on the various scientific fields, and, in particular, on the field of physical metallurgy, we are surprised at how lit tle consideration has been given to the microscopic methods. How these tools provide new insight and information is a question which so far has not at tracted much attention. Similar observations can be made at scientific confer ences, where the presentation of papers involving microscopic methods is often pushed into a far corner. This has led users of such methods to organize their own special conferences. The aim of this book is to bridge the present gap and encourage more interaction between the various fields of study and selected microscopic meth ods, with special emphasis on their suitability for investigating metals. In each case the principles of the method are reviewed, the advantages and successes pointed out, but also the shortcomings and limitations indicated.

Updated and translated by André Luiz V. da Costa e Silva This book is a combination of a metallographic atlas for steels and cast irons and an introductory textbook covering the fundamentals of phase transformations and heat treatment of these materials. Every important stage of processing, from casting to cold working is clearly discussed and copiously illustrated with metallographs that show the obtained structures, both desired and those achieved when deviations occur. First published in 1951 by Professor Hubertus Colpaert from the Institute for Technological Research (IPT) of São Paulo, Brazil, this book became one of the most important Brazilian references for professionals interested in the processing, treatment, and application of steels and cast irons. In the Fourth Edition and English translation, updated and translated by Professor André Luiz V. da Costa e Silva, the concept of the of the original edition was preserved while the important developments of recent decades, both in metallographic characterization and in steel and iron products, as well as progress in the understanding of the transformations that made the extraordinary developments of these alloys possible, were added. Most metallographs are of actual industrial materials and a large number originate from industry leaders or laboratories at the forefront of steel and iron development. As steel continues to be the most widely used metallic material in the world, Metallography of Steels continues to be an essential reference for students, metallographers, and engineers interested in understanding processing-properties-structure relationships of the material. The balance between theoretical and applied information makes this book a valuable companion for even experienced steel practitioners.

/.letallography is much more than taking striking pictures at high magnifications or polishing and etching specimens in such a way that no scratches can be seen. Basically, metallography is the physical metallurgist's most useful and most used tool for studying metals. Although it is perhaps his oldest tool, it certainly is not likely to become obsolete. Rather, the continued demands that have been placed upon materials have required more detailed charac terizations of their microstructures and this, in turn, has re quired the metallographer to develop new techniques to make these characterizations. Not too many years ago, the metallographer had only optical microscopes with which to examine his specimens. Now he has elec tron microscopes, scanning electron microscopes, and a whole host of instruments which were unknown to him only a relatively few years ago. This has forced him to learn not only how to use these new instruments and how to interpret the information that they provide but it also has made him develop new techniques for preparing the samples for examination.

Since Sorby published his observations on the structures of steels in 1863, the optical microscope has become one of the most widely used and versatile instruments for examining the structures of engineering materials. Moreover, to examine the diverse range of materials encountered, it must be used in both the reflected-light and transmitted-light forms, and with polarized light. It is complementary to, but not superseded by, the wide range of electron-optical instruments that are now used. Despite its extensive use, it has been described as the most misused, abused, and misunderstood of scientific instruments, for it will produce an image of a sort no matter how badly it is used. To use it effectively, even in its simplest applications, a knowledge of the simple theory of the microscope is necessary, for the theory shows and explains how it should be used. Thus my aim has been to give a simple and, where possible, quantitative account of both the theory and the use of the microscope, including the various special techniques for which it can be used. But, no matter how effectively the microscope is used, if the specimen is inadequately prepared the results of examination will be of doubtful value.

David A. Scott provides a detailed introduction to the structure and morphology of ancient and historic metallic materials. Much of the scientific research on this important topic has been inaccessible, scattered throughout the international literature, or unpublished; this volume, although not exhaustive in its coverage, fills an important need by assembling much of this information in a single source. Jointly published by the GCI and the J. Paul Getty Museum, the book deals with many practical matters relating to the mounting, preparation, etching, polishing, and microscopy of metallic samples and includes an account of the way in which phase diagrams can be used to assist in structural interpretation. The text is supplemented by an extensive number of microstructural studies carried out in the laboratory on ancient and historic metals. The student beginning the study of metallic materials and the conservation scientist who wishes to carry out structural studies of metallic objects of art will find this publication quite useful.

Containing over 1,200 representative micrographs and the information and explanatory text that makes them really useful, including composition, condition, etchant, magnification, and more than 100 graphs and tables, this 'how to' book not only gives everyday working examples, but also discusses the relationship between the constitution, metallurgy, and microstructure of various carbon steel products. Contents: Nomenclature of Phases and Constituents; Phase Transformations; Low-Carbon Irons and Steels; Annealing and Normalizing; Spheroidization and Graphitization; Austenitization; Transformation of Austenite; Tempering of Martensite; Welding; Surface Oxidation, Decarburation and Oxidation Scaling; Glossary of Terms; EtchingMethods; ConversionTables; Index.