Metallographic Basics

Your starting point for metallographic sample preparation. Explore our guides, interactive tools, searchable databases, and step-by-step preparation procedures.

Preparation Guides

Step-by-step guides covering every aspect of metallographic sample preparation, from fundamentals to advanced techniques.

6 Guides

Basics

Introduction to metallography, history, purpose and applications, safety fundamentals, and equipment overview.

7 Guides

Process

Sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, etching, microstructural analysis, and hardness testing preparation.

17 Guides

Material-Specific

Preparation guides for aluminum, steels, titanium, copper, ceramics, composites, thermal spray coatings, and more.

11 Guides

Application-Specific

Failure analysis, aerospace, automotive, medical devices, welding, additive manufacturing, and more.

Guide

Troubleshooting

Diagnose and fix common preparation issues including scratches, pull-out, smearing, edge rounding, and staining.

Tools & Calculators

Interactive calculators and selection tools to streamline your metallographic workflow.

7 Tools

All Tools & Calculators

Grit size converter, grain size calculator, mounting material calculator, polishing time calculator, procedure time estimator, mold compatibility checker, and etchant selector.

Planning Tool

Lab Builder

Get personalized equipment and consumable recommendations based on your sample specifications and workflow requirements.

Selector

Etchant Selector

Find the right etchant for your material and application. Search by material type, alloy, or etchant name.

Databases

Searchable reference databases for materials, etchants, and metallographic testing standards.

~180 Entries

Materials Database

Browse materials with recommended preparation procedures, etchants, hardness values, and classification data.

~55 Entries

Etchants Database

Find etchants by material type and application, with formulations, procedures, and safety information.

~42 Standards

Standards Database

ASTM and ISO standards for metallographic testing, hardness measurement, grain size analysis, and more.

Preparation Procedures

Recommended step-by-step procedures organized by our 11-class material classification system.

11 Classes

All Preparation Procedures

Browse all 11 material classes with detailed sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, and etching parameters for each class.

Reference

Find by Material

Don't know your material's class? Search the materials database to find the right preparation procedure for your specific alloy or material.

Additional Resources

Reference materials, documentation, and support resources.