It is often necessary for practical or logistical reasons to perform metallographic studies and microstructural analysis away from the laboratory. It is for this reason that the science of field surveillance metallography has developed significantly from its inception over 50 years ago.

With the increasing and more stringent requirements demanded by safety regulations, the need for field service metallography has grown. Metallographic and metallurgical inspections of large structures of all types, ranging from storage tanks to power plant vessels and piping, to rolling mill equipment and oil industry component manufacture, provide a broad spectrum for “on location” metallographic and metallurgical services.

Field Service Metallography Advantages

The advantages of Field Service Metallography are that it is a powerful technique in its own right, and it can become an important contributor to a complete diagnostic analysis in combination with other standard NDE methods.

The Process

Field Service Metallography involves grinding and polishing areas of interest. Etchants for revealing microstructure are carefully selected and applied to conform to OSHA and client stipulations. The areas examined are mapped in an organized manner. On-site digital photography complements data acquired in the lab from replicas made on the prepared areas. When required, a portable microindentation hardness unit (TIV) can be employed for surveys.

The Product Evaluation Systems, Inc. Advantage

Product Evaluation Systems, Inc. has developed a replication technique that produces a flawless, virtually flat replica taken from a planar or curved surface at any orientation. Replicas are usually coated with gold for better contrast in the LOM. This coating also facilitates examination in the SEM when higher magnification is needed, or when identification of extracted particles is required.

Microstructures are also photographed in situ with a field microscope coupled to a digital camera system. The camera incorporates a micron marker scale for accurate determination of image magnification. Other quantitative image analysis (e.g., grain size measurement, inclusion distribution) or image enhancement and montage generation capabilities can be applied to replica micrographs in the laboratory with the aid of the PAX-it!™ image analysis system.

We’re Up to Any Remote Metallography Challenge

Tools for remote metallography in radioactive and other hostile environments have been successfully operated; underwater operation is not beyond present-day capabilities.