Abstract
Abstract Stereological description of dispersed microstructure is not an easy task and remains the subject of continuous research. In its practical aspect, a correct stereological description of this type of structure is essential for the analysis of processes of coagulation and spheroidisation, or for studies of relationships between structure and properties. One of the most frequently used methods for an estimation of the density Nv and size distribution of particles is the Scheil - Schwartz - Saltykov method. In this article, the authors present selected methods for quantitative assessment of ductile iron microstructure, i.e. the Scheil - Schwartz - Saltykov method, which allows a quantitative description of three-dimensional sets of solids using measurements and counts performed on two-dimensional cross-sections of these sets (microsections) and quantitative description of three-dimensional sets of solids by X-ray computed microtomography, which is an interesting alternative for structural studies compared to traditional methods of microstructure imaging since, as a result, the analysis provides a three-dimensional imaging of microstructures examined.
Highlights
The key factors which set the criteria for the classification of engineering materials are quality indicators, taking into account directly or indirectly microstructural characteristics, expressed quantitatively by stereological parameters
Quantitative assessment of the microstructure allows finding close relationships between structure and properties, and between the structure and the parameters of a technological process used for the alloy manufacture
ARCHIVES of FOUNDRY ENGINEERING Volume 13, Issue 3/2013, 59-63 measurements and counts performed on two-dimensional crosssections of these sets and a quantitative description of three-dimensional sets of solids by X-ray computed microtomography, which is an interesting alternative for structural studies compared to traditional methods of microstructure imaging since, as a result, the analysis provides a threedimensional imaging of microstructures examined
Summary
The key factors which set the criteria for the classification of engineering materials are quality indicators, taking into account directly or indirectly microstructural characteristics, expressed quantitatively by stereological parameters. The correct interpretation of a microscopic image, taking into account the shape and size of the individual elements of the microstructure, requires a precise definition of the morphological model, but often a visualisation in the 3D scale. This issue is so important because a large share among the components of the microstructure of iron alloys have solids with a concave shape. Direct stereological relationships without proper diagnosis of the shape of a precipitate can be unreliable, even at the level of quality
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