Metallographic preparation

The metallograph is the core of metallography, with the concerted know-how in the field of materials analysis. A
fully equipped metallographic laboratory is available for the preparation of metallographic specimens. A discotom
for exact cross cuts, modern grinding and polishing machines and equipment for all required etching work is also
available. The other testing and examination equipment for lattices and microstructures and for damage analysis is
briefly described in the other articles on this level.

Micro hardness tester
The hardness of different areas of microstructure can be measured with the micro hardness tester. A small diamond
pyramid (Vickers hardness) is pressed into the test specimen with a very small force. This is done at a microscope
to which the hardness tester is attached so that the place of the hardness impression can be located exactly. The
hardness can also be defined under the microscope with reference to the size of the impression produced.

Microscopy
One or several microscopes belong to the basic equipment of the metallographic laboratory. The crystal structure of
the metal materials exposed by the preparation of the specimens can be analyzed in this way. The components of
the microstructure visible in the light-optical microscope are of the size of a few micrometers to several
millimeters. Smaller objects require an electron microscope. The resolution of light-optical microscopes is
sufficient to study the microstructure of rail welds. The R&D department of the Thermit Group has stereo
microscopes and magnifiers. Thus, the optimal equipment for the visual examination of materials and the analysis of
damage situations is available. A digital camera can be connected to all devices so that results can be obtained in
pictorial format without delay. All results can be archived in the image database.