Published by De Gruyter

Volume 58 Issue 1

January 2021

Issue of Practical Metallography

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Contents
Journal Overview

Publicly Available February 19, 2021

Frontmatter

Page range: 1-3

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Publicly Available February 19, 2021

Page range: 1-2

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Publicly Available February 19, 2021

Editorial

Page range: 3-3

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Open Access February 19, 2021

An Additively Manufactured Titanium Alloy in the Focus of Metallography

C. Fleißner-Rieger, T. Pogrielz, D. Obersteiner, T. Pfeifer, H. Clemens, S. Mayer

Page range: 4-31

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Abstract

Additive manufacturing processes allow the production of geometrically complex lightweight structures with specific material properties. However, by contrast with ingot metallurgy methods, the manufacture of components using this process also brings about some challenges. In the field of microstructural characterization, where mostly very fine structures are analyzed, it is thus indispensable to optimize the classic sample preparation process and to furthermore implement additional preparation steps. This work focuses on the metallography of additively manufactured Ti‑6Al‑4V components produced in a selective laser melting process. It offers a guideline for the metallographic preparation along the process chain of additive manufacturing from the metal powder characterization to the macro- and microstructural analysis of the laser melted sample. Apart from developing preparation parameters, selected etching methods were examined with regard to their practicality.

February 19, 2021

Qualitative and Quantitative Microstructural Analysis of Copper for Sintering Process Optimization in Additive Manufacturing Applications

J. Ott, A. Burghardt, D. Britz, S. Majauskaite, F. Mücklich

Page range: 32-47

Abstract

This work will present possibilities for the characterization of copper powder green bodies and sintered copper microstructures during pressureless sintering. The introduction of new parameters to microstructural characterization based on qualitative and quantitative microstructural analysis will facilitate the systematic optimization of the sintering process. As a result of the specific evaluation of the microstructure evolution, conventional isothermal sintering could be successfully replaced by multi-step temperature profiles, thus achieving sintering densities of more than 99 % by simultaneously reducing process time. This systematic optimization of the sintering process of Cu through specific microstructural analysis may now be applied to sinter-based manufacturing technologies such as Binder Jetting and Metal Powder Injection Moulding, enabling the manufacture of complex and highly conductive Cu parts for applications in electronics.

February 19, 2021

Failure Analysis of Stainless Steel Sheets of Heat Shield Assembly of a Vacuum Degassing Furnace

R. K. Gupta, A. Kumar, P. Ganesh, R. Kaul

Page range: 48-61

Abstract

A twenty-five-year-old vacuum furnace is being used for degassing of ultra-high vacuum components. The heat shield assembly of the furnace comprised of one molybdenum (Mo) front sheet, followed by four 304 stainless steel (SS) sheets. During prolonged service of the furnace, SS sheets developed thick black oxide scale. As a part of refurbishment drive, the SS sheets were subjected to chemical cleaning in 20 % HNO 3 + 1.5 % HF, which caused severe thinning along the edges of some sheets. Detailed analysis of a damaged SS sheet showed that the damage was caused by severe sensitization of edge region which underwent extensive intergranular corrosion during chemical cleaning. Important remedial measures suggested to avoid similar failures included: (i) use of type 316L or stabilized grades of austenitic SS sheets, (ii) use of two Mo front sheets in place of one and (iii) use of mechanical cleaning in place of chemical cleaning.

Picture of the Month

February 19, 2021

Picture of the Month

Reinhold Wartbichler

Page range: 62-62

PM-News

February 19, 2021

PM-News

Page range: 63-66

Meeting Diary

February 19, 2021

Meeting Diary

Page range: 67-67

About this journal

Practical Metallography is a bilingual (German-English) journal that informs you thoroughly on materialographic preparation, imaging and analysis of microstructures. The journal covers the development and improvement of metallographic methods and equipment, possibilities of optical and electron microscopy, spectroscopy, diffraction techniques, non-destructive testing, metallographic investigations of materials, problems of specimens preparation and evaluation including useful laboratory advice and recipes, failure analysis including damage detection and elimination.
All articles are subject to thorough, independent peer review.
Practical Metallography works closely with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Materialkunde e.V. (DGM)

Volume 58 Issue 1

Issue of Practical Metallography

Frontmatter

Contents

Editorial

An Additively Manufactured Titanium Alloy in the Focus of Metallography

Abstract

Qualitative and Quantitative Microstructural Analysis of Copper for Sintering Process Optimization in Additive Manufacturing Applications

Abstract

Failure Analysis of Stainless Steel Sheets of Heat Shield Assembly of a Vacuum Degassing Furnace

Abstract

Picture of the Month

PM-News

Meeting Diary