LAB 3 - MICROSTRUCTURE

DJJ30113 - MATERIAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING OBSERVATION

DEPARTMENT OF MECHAMICAL ENGINEERING

DJJ30113 - MATERIAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
SESSION : 1 2023/2024
DURATION: 2 Hours

NAME : PROGRAMME:
REGISTRATION NO : CLASS :
ITEM : MARKS :
LAB 3 (MICROSTRUCTURE OBSERVATION) / 100 MARKS
LEARNING OUTCOME :
CLO2 : P4,PLO 5 DP1 – Depth of knowledge
Performed appropriate material testing DP3 – Depth of analysis
according to the Standard Operating Procedures. DP4 – Familiarity of Issues

INSTRUCTION: Please read the work procedure carefully and follow the instruction given
by the lecturer from time to time.

1.0 OBJECTIVE :

Upon completion of this experiment, students should be able to;

1. Perform microstructure observation (non-destructive testing) on a metal sample.
2. Evaluate the microstructure for a ferrous and non-ferrous sample.

2.0 EQUIPMENT/APPARATUS :

Metallurgical microscope
Samples pieces of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys

Figure 1Metallurgical Microscope

Sources : Primotech Instruction Manual

3.0 THEORY:

Non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques can be applied to characterize microstructural

aspects such grain size, texture, nucleation and growth of second phases, deformation, and
damage without producing any damage, as well as to evaluate mechanical properties,
components, and structure.
The inner structure of a metal is made up of individual crystalline areas known as ‘grains’.
The structure, size and orientation of these grains result from the material composition (alloy) and
the way the material is made (forging, casting or additive manufacturing). The grains are formed
from the molten material when it solidifies, interact with one another and with other ingredients,
like phases and contaminations. Typically, the grain structure is adapted to the technical
application. Grain size and orientation and other structural characteristics are directly linked to
the mechanical and technological properties of these materials.
Microstructural observations are used for a wide range of investigations, for example, to
determine grain sizes, check for defects, target preparation in microelectronics, welds of all kinds
and failure analysis. The microstructure is the geometric arrangement of grains and the different
phases present in a material. Materials engineers can predict the general behavior of materials
by observing their microstructure. Metallography is the study of microstructure of metals. This is
performed in order to analyze microstructure in materials to better understand materials behavior
and performance. This is usually done for examining defects in materials. Microstructural analysis
enables to draw conclusions regarding the properties of the alloy, including its strength, hardness
and ductility.
One kind of heat treatment called annealing is heating the steel to a high temperature and
allowing it to cool gradually over time. The material might become extremely ductile and soft due
to the gradual cooling process. This is to prevent the steel from warping or cracking from the
stress of the sudden temperature shift when it cools down quickly, such as in cold weather.
Additionally, annealing aids in reducing internal stresses brought on by machining or welding,
which facilitates the formation of parts free from deformities or fractures. It also makes the
material less brittle by increasing its toughness.
Another kind of heat treatment is normalizing, which involves heating steel to a
temperature even higher than annealing and then allowing it to cool naturally. This process
produces a material that is stronger and tougher than it was before normalizing. Because of
their greater strength, normalizing is therefore the best option for materials that can tolerate more
wear and tear than other materials might under comparable conditions. Additionally, materials
that have been normalised are more machinable than those that have not, meaning that fewer
tools are required to cut them more easily.

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5.0 PROCEDURES

1. Plug in PC and digital microscope. Using power switch to turn on the microscope.

2. The PC should connect to the microscope.

3. Open/Click the Dewinter software application on the PC desktop (make sure to insert the pen
drive provided first to activate the software)

4. Click ‘Camera’ icon

5. Lower the stage so that the sample can fit below the objectives. Ensure that the stage is low
enough so that none of the objectives collide with the sample when rotating the objective
nosepiece.

6. Place the metal sample on the center of the stage.

7. Rotate the objective nosepiece until the objective with the desired magnification is at the front.
Ensure the nosepiece is rotated to a click-stop position.

8. The image appear in the Dewinter application window should be what the microscope is
focused on.
9. Look at the image appeared in the Dewinter software window and turn the focus wheel to raise
or lower the stage until the sample is in focus.
10. After satisfied with the microstructure image, click ‘Capture Image’

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 11. Click ‘Save’ with the default setting.

12. Click ‘Exit Camera’

13. Click ‘Minimize’ on screen.

14. On desktop. Click ‘File Explorer’ and track back saved image :

15. Students are required to observe the microstructure under the metallurgical microscope and
record the data obtained.

6.0 RESULT:

In this experiment, students are required to sketch and label diagrams of specimen observed
from the metallurgical microscope. The students are instructed to identify microstructure
characteristic between Medium Carbon Steel (Annealing) and Medium Carbon Steel (Normalizing)
sample.

Types of metal Medium Carbon Steel (Annealing) Medium Carbon Steel (Normalizing)

Microstructure
(Sketch and label)

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7.0 ANALYSIS DATA & RESULT

Types of metal Medium Carbon Steel Medium Carbon Steel

(Annealing) (Normalizing)
Microstructure
(Describe)
Composition

Properties

8.0 DISCUSSION
8.1 Establish a correlation between the microstructure and properties of Annealing and
Normalising medium carbon steel.
8.2 What kind of micro structure forms when Austenite cools slowly?
8.3 What kind of micro structure forms when Austenite cools moderately?
8.4 What is the purposes of observing the microstructure of metal specimens?

9.0 CONCLUSION

Conclude your experiment based on objectives, results and discussion.

10.0 REFERENCES

William D. Callister (2000) Materials science and engineering an introduction, 5th ed. New York:
Wiley.ISBN 0471320137

Charles M. Gilmore (2015) Materials science and engineering properties, Australia: Cengage
Learning. ISBN 9781111988616

Carl A. Keyser (1980) Materials science in engineering, 3rd ed. Columbus :: C.E. Merrill Pub. Co.
ISBN:0675081823

Lawrence H.Van Vlack (1982) Materials for engineering concepts and applications,
Reading,Mass: Addison-Wesley. ISBN : 0201080648

Raymond A. Higgins (1987)Materials for the engineering technician,London;: ELBS.

ISBN :0340487259

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