The Origin and History of the International Metallographic Society

Abstract

The International Metallographic Society (IMS) is rich with history. With roots dating back to the early days of the Manhattan Project, metallographers experienced in ferrous and copper alloys were faced with a new challenge. How does one safely prepare nuclear materials (uranium, plutonium, and other materials related to the US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) programs)? Some nuclear engineers expected metallographers to know as much about nuclear materials as they did about iron and copper alloys. The efforts of these pioneers helped to establish the basis for evaluating nuclear materials, and many of the techniques developed remain in use today. These techniques are a combination of science and art; in the early days, it took more than just a procedure to produce a desired result. It also took a developed instinct to know if a specimen was ready to come off the polishing wheel or if it needed a few more seconds for the perfect etch. Although the tasks facing them were daunting, metallographers are blessed with resourcefulness and an intense desire to solve new metallographic problems. Challenges presented by the group of nuclear materials and radioactive samples were met, and the science of metallography took a giant step forward. The methods and techniques developed for these metals and alloys have been extended to the study of nearly all present-day materials. The focus of the Manhattan Project was to develop the first atomic weapon during World War II. Metallographers supporting the Manhattan Project were employed by the AEC and its contractors. These experienced metallographers encountered textbook curiosities that dictated the need to develop new metallographic techniques. As a result, metallographers and scientists at each AEC laboratory developed their own techniques for safety control, specimen preparation, and microstructural interpretation. Each laboratory drew its own conclusions based on the microstructural interpretations. After World War II, wartime security restrictions began to ease and the AEC contractors began to hold periodic meetings. At an AEC Metallurgical Conference in January 1949, metallographers and metallurgists decided it would be useful to compare techniques for preparing and examining uranium. G. L. Kehl, Columbia University; A. U. Seybolt, Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory; and H. A. Saller, Battelle Memorial Institute-Columbus were asked to arrange an ad-hoc meeting to discuss the metallographic techniques and procedures being developed on uranium metallography. For the meeting, Battelle-Columbus agreed to fabricate and heat treat identical sets of natural uranium. These specimens were sent to other AEC-sponsored laboratories. Sixteen representatives from eight AEC laboratories met at Battelle-Columbus in July 1949 to exchange information. The success of this meeting led to further collaboration. Between 1950 and 1969, 22 AEC Metallography Group meetings were held, with attendance growing to as many as 60 in later years. By today’s standards, early meetings had exotic themes. For example, in advance of the June 1950 meeting, attendees received samples of crystal bar zirconium and zirconium-clad 6 wt.% uranium alloy. At the sixth meeting, which occurred in September 1952, attendees presented papers on the recent work of their respective laboratories and the first steering committee was elected. The Group elected Harriet Roman, MIT, as permanent S. Dekanich (&) Y-12 National Security Complex, P.O. Box 2009, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-8245, USA e-mail: dekanichsj@y12.doe.gov