Materials Technology Dr.

Jorge Alvarez

I. Light Microscopy

1. Objective: Students will learn how to use an optical microscope and illumination techniques to observe
metallographic samples.

2. Experimental procedure: Students will observe metallic samples on an inverted microscope through
different techniques. These techniques are related with the handling of light by applying filters or specific
devices and are defined as bright field, dark field, differential interference contrast DIC (Nomarsky) and
polarization.

One of the main applications of light microscopy is in metallurgical analysis and the most common
features and data requested are phase distribution, grain size determination, fracture analysis, failure
caused by corrosion and surface microstructure.

5. Resources: Light microscope, stereomicroscope, metallic samples.

Samples:
M1; Brass (etched)
M2; Iron (etched)

6. Assignments

1. Observe sample M1 at 1000X and M2 at 200X in the microscope in the four fields, take
micrographs of each one for your report.
Materials Technology Dr. Jorge Alvarez

LIGHT MICROSCOPY

Date
By…

1. Introduction
(Describe
i. Light microscopy, advantages and disadvantages.
ii. Illumination system of an inverted light microscope
iii. Main uses of light microscopy in metallurgy.
iv. Illumination microscopy techniques (BF, DF, DIC, Polarization)

2. Experimental procedure (include a list of steps followed with a brief description).

3. Results (describe and analyze the information you observed in the samples, include micrographs
and a brief description in each one: relevant information on relief, grain size, phase distribution,
inclusions, grain boundary)
4. Conclusions. (consider conclusions on light microscope resolution,, illuminations techniques
advantages and structure observed)
5. References.

*suggestions:
1. Write numbers of figures and titles in every image you use in your report.
2. Make sure that your conclusions are real conclusions derived from your practice.