Metallurgical Microscopes

A metallurgical microscope is an optical microscopesamples.
which differs from other microscopes in the method ofThere are different illumination accessory options
specimen illumination.  Since metals are opaqueavailable on most metallurgical microscopes which
substances they must be illuminated by frontalinclude dark field, polarized light, interference contrast.
reflected lighting, therefore on metallurgical Dark field illumination is used for producing images
microscopes the light source is located within thewith dark background and bright non-flat structure
microscope tube.  This is achieved by a plain glassfeatures.  Polarized light is used for viewing metals
reflector installed in the tube. The image quality and itswith non-cubic crystalline structure (magnesium,
resolving power are mainly determined by the qualityalpha-titanium|, zinc and others) responding to
of the objective.  The common magnification of across-polarized light.  Polarized light is created by a
metallurgical microscope is in the range of 50x –polarizer which is located before the illuminator and
1000x.analyzer, and placed before the eyepiece. 
Metallographic microscopes are used for a variety ofInterference contrast system (DIC), enables the user to
applications such as semiconductor silicon waferobserve features not visible in brightfield.  It also can
manufacturing, inspection and quality control,create a three dimensional view in some samples.
crystallography, and analysis of sand castings in ironQuality metallurgical microscopes are offered by
metal foundries.  They can also be used for metallicVanGuard in their 1240MM series.  The VanGuard
grain microstructure analysis and identification,1241MM is a trinocular industrial microscope featuring
measurement of thin films, microscopic analysis ofreflected illumination as well as long working distance
opaque surfaces, study of prehistoric stone age toolsobjectives.  It is perfect for the inspection of
and artifacts, historical preservation, the study ofintegrated circuits, wafers, electronic components,
metallurgy, and metal patina analysis.metals, polymers, paint, textiles, and essentially any
There are two designs of metallurgical microscope:opaque sample.  Since the 1241MM has a trinocular
upright and inverted. The upright microscope is useddesign you can add a digital or video camera system
for examining smaller specimens mounted on slideto help document your findings.  The VanGuard
material.  The inverted model is used for applications1242MM offers similar features with the addition of a
that range from the examination of thick and largebase illuminator for transmitted light.
metal or raw material samples to big or heavy