Metallography
In the RMS Foundation the following methods of metallography and materialography are at your disposal. All testing services have been accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025.
Sample preparation for materialographic investigations
The preparation of samples for the materialographic investigation includes working steps such as cutting, embedding, grinding, polishing, and etching.
Equipment: Embedding press Metkon ECOPRESS®200 / Struers ProntoPress and CitoPress / grinding and polishing devices Struers TegraPol-21 (+ Tegra Doser 5) and PRESI Meccatech 334
Contact: Myriam Herger+41 32 644-2024myriam.herger@rms-foundation.ch
Determination of the grain size and the volume fraction in multiple-phase structures
Determination of the grain size number and the grain size of metallic and ceramic materials based on standard methods as well as the volume fraction in multiple-phase structures by point count with picture documentation.
Equipment: Light microscope Leica DMI5000 M with camera ProgRes C14 plus and IMS Image Management Software
Contact: Myriam Herger+41 32 644-2024myriam.herger@rms-foundation.ch
Determination of non-metallic inclusions in metals
Characterization and determination of the non-metallic inclusions of non-etched sections of metallic materials with documentation.
Equipment: Light microscope Leica DMI5000 M with camera ProgRes C14 plus and IMS Image Management Software
Contact: Myriam Herger+41 32 644-2024myriam.herger@rms-foundation.ch
Determination of precipitated phase contents
Estimation of the contents of precipitated phases such as delta ferrite, sigma phase and iron beta phase using standard series and documentation.
Equipment: Light microscope Leica DMI5000 M with camera ProgRes C14 plus and IMS Image Management Software
Contact: Myriam Herger+41 32 644-2024myriam.herger@rms-foundation.ch
Intergranular corrosion test ASTM A262 practice A and E
The test is used to detect intergranular attack in austenitic stainless steels. The oxalic acid etch test practice A is used as a method to rapidly screen certain grades of stainless steel. Practice E (Strauss test) is conducted to determine the susceptibility of austenitic stainless steel to intergranular attack associated with the precipitation of chromium-rich carbides.
Equipment: Practice A: electro-polisher/etcher Buehler ElectroMet 4Practice E: glass apparatus with return cooler
Contact: Myriam Herger+41 32 644-2024myriam.herger@rms-foundation.ch
Measurement of coating thickness
Measurement of the local thickness of metallic coatings and oxide layers by investigating the cross-sectional surface by means of a light microscope with documentation.
Equipment: Light microscope Leica DMI5000 M with camera ProgRes C14 plus and IMS Image Management Software
Contact: Myriam Herger+41 32 644-2024myriam.herger@rms-foundation.ch