Optical Observation of Aluminum Samples for Identification and Measurement of Intermetallic Compounds

Our company has created a complete metallographic laboratory on behalf of a partner, successfully completing the installation of a fully equipped research and development lab for metallographic preparation of aluminum samples for microstructure analysis and the identification and measurement of intermetallic compounds.

Specifically, the project included systematic training of users, which took place not on dummy samples but on real samples from our partner, providing immediate and practical solutions.

Equipment Installed

1. UV mounting device, model QMOUNT by QATM Germany.
2. Semi Automatic Grinding/Polishing machine QPOL250A1 ECO by QATM Germany with an automatic dosing system with 4 pumps.
3. Electrolytic Polishing and Etching machine, model QETCH 1000 by QATM Germany.
4. Inverted metallographic microscope, model ECLIPSE MA 200 by NIKON METROLOGY with polarization, analysis, and DIC (Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy) techniques.
5. High frame rate microscope camera, model DSFi3 by NIKON METROLOGY.
6. NIS ELEMENTS D microstructure and measurement analysis software by NIKON METROLOGY with special modules for automated measurements, grain size measurement using the classic method, and artificial intelligence techniques.

Preparation Stages/Equipment

1. Cutting: Manual equipment is used because the samples are very delicate and cannot be cut on a variable speed cutting machine or a microtome.
2. Mounting: Samples are mounted in a UV mounting machine, model QMOUNT by QATM Germany, using special QATM molds specifically suited for UV photopolymerization technology. Mounting time for 12 samples is 1-2 minutes.
3. Sample Securing: Special care is taken when securing the samples before injecting the UV resin (single-component), where the appropriate clamping solution is selected based on the shape's complexity using plastic or metal clips with one, two, three, or four positions.
4. Resin Injection: Care must be taken to ensure proper resin penetration, especially in irregular shapes. There are various techniques available for such applications.
5. Grinding/Polishing: Mechanically done on the QPOL250A1 ECO machine by QATM Germany with an automatic dosing system with 4 pumps, using the recommended grinding/polishing method especially for aluminum.
6. Electrolytic Etching: Performed with Barkers solution on the QETCH 1000 electrolytic polishing/etching device. Depending on the aluminum alloy,  the time and current voltage has to be adjusted  to achieve the best results without surface burnouts.
7. Sample Observation: Optical Observations are taking place using the high-end inverted metallographic microscope model ECLIPSE MA 200 by NIKON METROLOGY, utilizing polarization, analysis, and DIC techniques.
8. Image Capture: High-resolution images are captured using a high-quality fast camera with a high frame rate, model DSFi3 by NIKON METROLOGY.
9. Measurement: Intermetallic compounds and the average grain size of the aluminum samples are measured using the NIS ELEMENTS D software platform by NIKON METROLOGY, with special modules for microstructure measurements using artificial intelligence techniques.

During the observation of the samples, the following high-resolution brightfield microstructure images were created using a polarizer.

Get in contact with us, share the details of your application and we will be happy to recommend the specialized equipment required to achieve the microstructure result you desire.