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The Power of Metallography: A Look Back and Ahead

  • Polishing Abrasives for Metallographic Sample Preparation
    September 24, 2024

    Polishing Abrasives for Metallographic Sample Preparation

    Polishing is a critical step in metallographic sample preparation, ensuring specimens are free from scratches, deformations, and surface damage, all of which are essential for accurate analysis. Obtaining a flawless surface requires precision abrasives like diamond, aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), and amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO₂) in colloidal suspension.
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  • Hot Mounting vs. Cold Mounting for Metallography
    January 9, 2024

    Hot vs. Cold Mounting in Metallography: A Quick Guide

    Metallography, the study of the microstructure of metals and alloys, relies heavily on the quality of specimen preparation. One critical step in this process is specimen mounting, and there are two predominant methods: compression or hot mounting and castable or cold mounting. Each method has its own set of advantages and considerations, catering to different needs in metallographic analysis.
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  • 3D Printed Inconel 625 - OnPoint Abrasives
    October 2, 2023

    Additive Manufactured Samples - A Guide To Sample Preparation

    Metallography is a critical aspect of the metallurgical analysis and quality control of materials, including those produced through additive manufacturing (AM). It involves the study of a material's microstructure by examining its constituent phases, grain structures, inclusions, and defects at a microscopic level. Metallography helps in understanding the material's mechanical properties, performance, and overall quality. Here's a more detailed overview of metallography and sample preparation in the context of AM:
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  • metallographic samples cut with saw
    September 17, 2023

    Metallurgical Abrasive Saw or Precision Saw or Both?

    Precision saws excel in targeting specific areas of metallurgical specimens with a heightened degree of precision. They are known for their suitability under low load and low RPM conditions, making them a preference for delicate materials. Typically found in smaller laboratory settings, precision saws replace abrasive wheels with metal core blades featuring embedded diamonds or cubic boron nitride (CBN) on their perimeters. Blade diameters vary from 3 to 8 inches, and thickness can range from 0.006” to 0.040”. This thin profile proves particularly advantageous when sectioning delicate materials like precious metals, PCBs, ceramics, or glass, though it necessitates careful handling due to fragility.
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  • Why is Silicon Carbide Paper Used for Metallography and Sample Preparation?
    May 24, 2023

    Why is Silicon Carbide Paper Used for Metallography and Sample Preparation?

    silicon carbide paper is chosen for metallography due to its hardness, abrasive properties, consistency, grit range, and compatibility with different metals. It plays a vital role in preparing metal samples for microscopic analysis, enabling researchers to examine the microstructure, grain boundaries, and other characteristics of the metal under study.
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  • April 22, 2023

    Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline Diamond

    Diabrasive Choice Monocrystalline Diamond   Monocrystalline Diamond is a cost-effective option for good stock removal and finish. It has a slightly irregular shape with multiple cutting edges, making it suitable for general metallographic applications where the features of Polycrystalline Diamond are...

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