Question

a. Why metallographic sample have to be rinsed and carefully dried before proceed to
grinding or polishing process?

They have to be rinsed and carefully dried before proceed to grinding or polishing process
so that the metallographic samples are confirmed clean and free from abrasive particles.
The failure of this basis rule wi9ll result in transferring abrasive particles between stages
and cause time-consuming, frustrating problems in remaining unwanted scratches.

b. Explain the purpose of etching process for metallographic samples.

The purpose of etching process for metallographic samples are to highlight and sometimes
identify the microstructural features or phases present. Unetched specimen will only reveal
a few structural features such as inclusion and crack or other physical imperfections. In
addition, even in a carefully prepared sample, a surface layer of disturbed metal resulting
from the final polishing stage is always present and must be removed. Therefore, it is a
necessary for etching process of the samples.

c. Why some of metallographic samples have to be mounted?

Mounting a specimen provides a safe standardize and ergonomic way by which to hold a
sample during grinding and polishing operation. Also, mounting can provide protection to
the edges of this specimen. Mounted specimens are easier for fixture into automated
machines or to hold manually. Next, the orientation of the specimen can also be more easily
controlled by fixing it and then setting it in place via mounting.
d. At room temperature:

(i) What are the phases of eutectoid steel?

0.8% of carbon.

(ii) What are the constituents of eutectoid steel?

Ferrite and cementite.

(ii)What are the phases of hypo eutectoid steel?

Less than 0.8% of carbon.

(iii) What are the constituents of hypo eutectoid steel?

Ferrite and pearlite.

Discussion

They like can reflect better on the surface of the samples after polished. This is the
reason the samples look shiny after polished. The pattern of the microstructures of
all the samples become more clear when observing over a high magnification lens
as the higher magnification lens have a better resolution than the lower one. For
sample 1, the microstructure pattern represents the eutectoid steel containing 0.8%
carbon with all cementite in the spheroidal form. For sample 2, the microstructure
has a higher concentration of cementite that appeared in black colors thus, it is a
tempered martensite. For sample 3, the dark color is cementite whereas the light
color is ferrite. It is a pearlite as its microstructure shows alternative layers of light
ferrite and dark cementite. The microstructures for bainite and martensite at first
seem similar because both microstructures share many aspects of their
transformation mechanisms. However, the microstructure of bainite appear darker
then martensite due to its low reflectivity. For sample 6, it is a martensite as it is
formed by the rapid cooling of austenite at such a high rate that carbon atoms do
not have time to diffuse out the crystal structure in large quantities to form
cementite.