The Practical Applications Of A Metallographic Microscope

Metallographic microscopes are the type of microscopes that are commonly used inside an industrial research facility. These microscopes are used in a lot of applications, and most of it has a lot to do with metal inspection and analysis. Know more about metallographic microscopes in the article below.

There are many names given to a metallographic microscope. This microscope can be alternately called a metallurgical microscope or simply a metallograph. But regardless of what these microscopes are called, they perform one main function - and that is to inspect, analyze, and observe a metal samples for use in different applications and functions.

For a detailed take on this matter, metallographic microscopes are used in the following areas:

1. Surface analysis of metals
   Metallographic microscopes are created in such a way that they can be used to observe the opaque surfaces of metal and other similar specimens. While traditional microscopes can only magnify microscopic biological specimens, these microscopes are very expansive. They are used for observing a variety of samples, not just restricted to metals, for inspection under its lenses. What makes this application possible is the fact that these microscopes use the more advanced lighting system, which is known as the epi-illumination system.


2. Metal casting production
   Metallographic microscopes are mostly seen inside foundries where metal castings are produced. Most of the metals produced inside these factories are made from pure iron or iron alloys, although other metals such as steel, zinc, magnesium, copper, and tin are used. When engineers design a certain alloy, the first thing they do is to study each and every component that will be used to formulate it. It is in the process of inspecting and analysis the alloy’s composition is where metallographic microscopes play a very important role.


3. Silicon Wafer Inspection
   Metallographic microscopes are not only used inside metal-related industries but by the electronic industry as well. In microelectronics, silicon wafers plays an important role in the creation of semiconductors and integrated circuits. Silicon wafers are thin slices of semi conducting materials. Primarily, it is composed of silicon crystal. And it is upon these wafers that microcircuits are being constructed. Specific materials are doped, etched, or deposed in the wafer. From that, an electronic part will be created. Much because of this fundamental role of silicon wafer in the creation of small electronic devices, it is important that the composition of these wafer are analyzed and evaluated prior to mass production.


4. Metal strength evaluation
   Inside industrial laboratories where the production of items made of metals are of main concern, metal strength test engineers are given the task to determine the density, power, and durability of a certain metal so that it can be used for a certain applications like creation of metal trusses and scaffoldings. Much of the tests they do involve an in-depth analysis of the metal under observation. Other than actual the actual strength tests, these metals are broken down to its finest elements as well. This application is also popular to people who conduct after-sales test on people who claim for warranty. It could also be used as grounds to recall a certain product should it fails the strength test after it is was sold in the market.


5. Quality Control Procedures
   Whether a metallographic microscope is used inside an electronic manufacturing plant or an industrial facility, for as long as it is being used for production purposes, the strict standards of quality control has to be met. And in the actual quality control procedures, these microscopes play a key role as well. Inspectors can look at the every product coming out of the production line with the use of these microscopes. Right now, this step is automated. Metallographic microscopes are equipped with a camera and are interfaced with a computer system. Every microchip or industrial product coming out as finished products are made to pass through the microscope’s camera. And because the microscope is also connected to a digital output in the form of the computer monitor, the quality inspector could merely look at the screen to determine if the product has passed the pre-set quality control standards or not.
   
   These are the many applications of metallographic microscopes. And primarily because of them, these microscopes are especially produced and crafted for it to do its functions. The average price of metallographic microscopes is a little more than a thousand dollars. Right now, only a number of advanced laboratories use metallographic microscopes. They are yet to be seen inside homes and schools, as their special functions are not much required for common applications such as these.