QATM offers comprehensive solutions for the metallographic preparation of samples produced through 3D printing technologies, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and consistency of results.

Its advanced methods and equipment preserve the integrity of samples, even in materials with heterogeneous microstructures or highly porous characteristics, which are often encountered in additive manufacturing components. 3D printing technology was invented in 1983 and patented in 1986 by C. Hull (originally called stereolithography) and has since become an established production method in industry. Forecasts indicate a 774% increase in global turnover over the next five years, making the 3D printing market particularly fast-growing.

One of the 3D printing techniques is additive laser powder build-up welding, where powder materials are fused with a laser, creating the desired shape through predefined paths. The laser energy melts the powder, forming a welded bead.

3D printing (additive manufacturing), such as laser powder build-up welding, uses metallic powder that is fused along predefined paths with the help of a laser to create three-dimensional objects. The materials most used are:

• Light metals
• Nickel-based superalloys
• Steels
• Intermetallic compounds
• Hard materials (carbides)

The final geometry is created by overlapping the weld beads to achieve high accuracy and microstructures <100 μm.

Stages of Metallographic Sample Preparation

1. Sectioning

• A representative piece (specimen) is selected from the component.
• Precision cutting is performed using a thin CBN blade (0.65 mm) at 4500 rpm.
• Reciprocating cutting (0.2 mm back-and-forth, feed rate 1 mm/s) minimizes thermal distortions.

2. Mounting

• The specimen is mounted using hot mounting with Epo Black.
• Provides stability, ease of handling, and high parallelism (51 µm ±1 µm).
• Conditions: 200 bar, 180°C, 6 minutes pressing + 6 minutes cooling.

3. Grinding & Polishing

• First stage: SiC paper P240 with water, 150 rpm, clockwise, 1 minute.
• Second stage: SiC paper P600, 150 rpm, clockwise, 1 minute.
• Pre-polishing: Galaxy BETA, diamond 9 µm, alcohol, 150 rpm, counterclockwise, 4:30 minutes.
• Intermediate polishing: Galaxy GAMMA, diamond 3 µm, alcohol, 150 rpm, counterclockwise, 4 minutes.
• Final polishing: Galaxy OMEGA, Eposil M, water, 100 rpm, clockwise, 1:30 minutes.

 The result is a smooth, flat, distortion-free surface suitable for microscopic observation.

4. Etching

• To reveal the microstructure, selective etching is performed (V2A Beize, 45 sec).
• The microstructure of X6Cr17 steel becomes fully visible under a bright-field microscope.

Final Result

• The sample is ideal for hardness testing, microscopic evaluation, and image analysis.
• The QATM method ensures reproducible, precise, and uniform preparation of 3D-printed metal samples.