10/4/2007 -
Metallographic and Materialographic—Specimen Preparation, Light Microscopy, Image Analysis, and Hardness Testing (2007)
by K. Geels in collaboration with D.B. Fowler, W.U. Kopp, and M. Ruckert
ISBN: 978-0-8031-4265-7. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, USA. 2007. Hardcover. 600+ pages. $117.00.
This is a book written for the practicing metallurgist by metallurgists with practical experience. The book is a fine compilation of all the topics identified in the title and additional topics. The book is divided into several sections with a total of 27 chapters. The sections include: sample preparation process, hands-on approach to specimen preparation, light microscopy, quantitative metallography—image analysis, hardness testing, and setting up a metallographic laboratory. Mr. Geels has 40 years experience in sample preparation and is a member of ASM International, ASTM International, the International Metallographic Society, and others. He has authored numerous papers and lectured worldwide on metallographic sample preparation. Fowler, who has 20 years experience with electronic imaging products, founded Definitive Imaging, Ltd. Kopp has 30 years experience in specimen preparation, has authored numerous technical publications, and is on the editorial board of Practical Metallography. Ruckert has 30 years experience as a metallographer and is currently working for Struers. All told, the authors have amassed 120 years of experience in this field and have shared the wealth of their knowledge and experience in this book.
Part of the beauty of this book is the extensive Table of Contents; some books let the subject index do the work while other books do not even attempt to provide the reader with an easy access of the subject matter covered. These authors are commended for providing the subject details in the front of the book.
Chapter 12, “Purpose of Examination,” lists ASTM standards by subject, some of which include: coatings, grain size, indentation hardness testing, quantitative metallography, sampling, and specimen preparation. This chapter also includes a table of etchants with sequence number, composition, and procedure. About 250 etchants are described.
Chapter 13 discusses specimen preparation, which includes recommendations for sectioning, mounting, grinding, and polishing. The table in Chapter 12 is referred to when discussing etching. This chapter is almost one-half of the book.
Operation and theory of light microscopy and electron microscopy are covered briefly in Chapters 15 and 16. Some of the topics include: numerical aperture, aberrations, dark-field illumination, differential interference contrast, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning TEM, energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, and focused ion beam.
A CD-ROM comes with the book that allows the reader to search specific ASTM standards (those that are pertinent to the content of the book). The directions in the “Read Me” did not necessarily help in figuring out how to use the CD or what information is provided. This reviewer finally managed to use the CD and was able to access the summary page for all the pertinent ASTM documents, a tool that is already provided by the ASTM website search engine. This reviewer did not find the CD-ROM useful and that was only realized after spending considerable time determining what information was being offered and how to access it!
All things considered, this book is quite valuable for anyone practicing metallography. The book is a wonderful compilation of theory and practice from saw cutting to mounting to using the various light microscope viewing techniques. This book is highly recommended for students, engineers, and scientists in this field.
For more on Metallographic and Materialographic Specimen Preparation, Light
Microscopy, Image Analysis, and Hardness Testing, visit the ASTM International’s web site. |
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