“Metallography to go”: Mobile metallographic examinations directly on components

Abstract

Abstract In this work, the fields of application of mobile metallography in technical practice are presented on the basis of numerous examples. This nearly non-destructive testing method (NDT) is used primarily for quality assurance of components in operational applications. It includes the fabrication of microstructure replicas, mobile hardness testing and analysis methods for the determining of the chemical composition of materials. The microstructure replicas are taken for different purposes. On the one hand, it can be used to document the initial state of the microstructure, to evaluate the microstructure condition for the control of the manufacturing quality, and conclude on the required properties. On the other hand, this method can be used to evaluate defects (formation of cracks, performance of welds, correct heat treatment, creep damage, etc.). On the basis of different test cases, the results for low-alloyed and highalloyed ferritic and austenitic steels, for nickel alloys and for the possibility of subsequent determination of precipitation populations in the transmission electron microscope (TEM) are presented.