Microstructure & grain size
See grains, phases and their size on the polished, etched section.
Useful forSteels, alloys, heat-treated partsMicroscopy & Imaging
Metallurgical Testing
Sample preparation, microscopy and hardness testing of metals
Metallurgical testing prepares a polished cross-section of a metal part and examines it under an optical microscope. It reveals microstructure, coating thickness and defects, while Vickers tests measure hardness locally.
9 test optionsOptical imaging ~50×–1000×Vickers & micro-Vickers hardnessTypical turnaround 5–7 working days
Metallurgical Testing measurement principleIllustrative
01 / Overview
What is Metallurgical Testing?
A representative section is cut from the part, set in a resin mount, then ground and polished to a mirror finish. Under a reflected-light metallurgical microscope, usually after etching, the section reveals grains, phases, inclusions, coatings and defects.
A diamond pyramid pressed into the same polished surface gives Vickers or micro-Vickers hardness, from bulk metal down to thin case layers and coatings. Together they link how a part was made or heat treated to how it performs; SEM and EDX add finer detail and composition.
02 / How it works
How it works
- 01
Cut and mount
A representative section is cut from the part and set in a hot- or cold-cured resin mount.
- 02
Grind and polish
The mount is ground on finer and finer abrasives, then diamond polished to a mirror finish.
- 03
Examine the section
Under reflected light, usually after etching, grains, phases and coatings are imaged.
- 04
Indent and measure
A diamond pyramid is pressed in; the indent diagonals give the Vickers hardness.
03 / What it measures
What it measures
Coating & layer thickness
Measure plating, coatings and case layers on the cross-section.
Useful forElectroplated, galvanised and coated partsVickers hardness
Measure hardness from the size of a diamond pyramid indent.
Useful forMetals, alloys, hard coatingsHardness profiles
Follow hardness across a section, from surface to core.
Useful forCase-hardened, nitrided and welded partsInclusions, porosity & cracks
Spot defects that weaken a part or start a failure.
Useful forCastings, forgings, failure analysisWeld structure
Examine weld metal, the heat-affected zone and the fusion line.
Useful forWelded joints, weld procedure checks04 / Test options
Choose the Metallurgical Testing options you need
9 options · none added yet
05 / Sample requirements
Sample requirements
- Accepted forms
- Metal parts, sections, welds, coated pieces, wire and sheet
- Size
- Ideally pieces that fit a 25–40 mm mount; larger parts are cut first
- Hardness samples
- Flat, parallel faces, thick enough that the indent leaves no mark behind
- Instructions
- Mark the section, face or depth to examine; a drawing for cutting jobs
- Quantity
- One piece per sample; spare pieces welcome
- Clean, dry parts, free of oil and loose rust
- Mark the cut line, face or region to examine
- Mention material, heat treatment and coating if known
- State the hardness load or standard if one applies
- No oversized parts without agreeing the cut location first
- No parts you need back unchanged — cutting is destructive
Hazardous or air-sensitive samples: mention it in your request, and attach the MSDS if you have one.
06 / Results & turnaround
Results & turnaround
What you receive
- Micrographs at chosen magnifications, with scale bars
- Hardness values per indent, with load and average
- Coating or layer thickness values (if selected)
- Cut, mounted or polished samples returned on request
- Report PDF
Turnaround & pricing
Typically 5–7 working days after samples reach the lab.
Price confirmed in your quotation, depending on user type, options and number of samples.
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