Metallography and Metallographic Microscopy

Metallography is the study of the structure of metals and alloys. Metallographic analysis can be used as a tool to help identify a metal or alloy, to determine whether an alloy was processed correctly, or to observe damaged or degraded areas in failure analysis investigations. Both optical and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (SEM/EDX) can be useful in metallographic analysis.  X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is also useful in the measurement and identification of carbides and graphitic inclusions and intermetallic formation.