Worked Examples in Quantitative Metallography (Matsci) Book

In physical metallurgy it is frequently necessary to obtain quantitative measurements of microstructural features in order to compare experimental observations with theoretical predictions. These may relate to the kinetics of processes such as grain growth, phase transformations or particle coarsening, or to the development of mechanical properties such as strength and toughness. Quantitative metallography, or stereology, is concerned with the measurement of microstructural features such as grain size, and the size and spatial distribution of second phase particles from observations made on sections by optical or scanning electron microscopy, and on replicas or thin foils by transmission electron microscopy. In all cases only a small sample section or thin slice of material is observed in order to identify the microstructural characteristics of the bulk material. Stereology is therefore concerned with geometrical probability. The mathematics behind the analysis of experimental data has been developed over a long period of time, beginning in the mid-nineteenth century. The aim of this book is to show examples of the application of these principles to calculate mean values and the confidence intervals for a number of important microstructural features. Knowledge of the accuracy of the experimental values of the microstructural parameters is essential for their valid interpretation and application. It is assumed that the reader is familiar with the application of statistical methods to data analysis, but the essentials are summarised in the Appendix.Read More