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.
