Downsizing of the metals and manufacturing industries ti improve global competiveness has fostered automation of metallographic specimen preparation. Further, the need to improve quality has generated a host of quality control programs involving statistical process control which, in turn, has promoted growth in use of automatic image analysis and automated microindentation hardness testing. Specimen preparation procedures for semi-automatic and automatic preparation equipment have shrunk from eight or nine step procedures to three, four or five step procedures with a gain in quality, time savings and reduced consumable product expenditures. Edge retention problems have been largely overcome by the use of modern preparation equipment and consumable products.
展开▼
