ETCHING AGENT 1

[mechnano]

May i know the best etching agent for composite material microstructure study.

Thanks

 

[Compositepro]

Etching is almost never done on composites. Polishing is standard practice. If there is some morphology for which you are trying to get better contrast the surface treatment would have to be specific for what you wish to reveal. What are you looking for? Most features can be revealed using bright field, dark field, or polarized light, or with SEM.

 

[mechnano]

Compositepro (Chemical)

i have to study the microstructure of alumina preform and aluminum metal matrix composite in which alumina preform as reinforcement.

thanks

 

[berkshire]

Compositepro
Would sodium hydroxide work for what Mechano is trying to do?
B.E.

 

[Compositepro]

It is aluminum that you will be etching then. Sodium hydroxide will certainly work but I don't know if that is best for revealing grain structure. Post your question in the metalurgy forum.