This course covers the topic of metallography. One can think of metallography as the preparation of samples (metallic, ceramic and polymeric) for examination using an optical or scanning electron microscope. Typically, one prepares the samples using cross-sectioning procedures. We will focus on metallography components, printed circuit boards, and the solder joint connections, rather than classical metallurgical samples. We cover sample preparation, chemical, ion milling, and electrolytic etching techniques, metallurgical microscope usage, fractography, documentation of microstructures, quantitative metallography, and microhardness testing methods.
