Tool steel is a very important iron based material, which can be divided into die steel, carbon steel, high-speed steel, etc. according to its chemical composition. The microstructure of annealed steel, hot rolled steel, forged high speed steel with relatively soft hardness and Tool steel with high hardness are different.

    The metallographic sample preparation plan of QMAXIS for Tool steel is for your reference.

Microstructure photo of Tool steel annealed in 180X bright field after 10% Picric acid corrosion

    The specific preparation steps of Tool steel samples are as follows:

    Cutting: QMAXIS metallographic cutting machine, selecting diamond blades with metal bonding agents for cutting blades

    Embedding: Hot press inlay machine, using QMAXIS black phenolic resin powder as the inlay material

    Mechanical sample preparation: Metpol-A

    Note: Comp. refers to the rotation of the sample fixture and the grinding disc in the same direction, Contra refers to the reverse rotation of the sample fixture and the grinding disc

    Etching: Etching with 10% Picric acid solution

    Attention: When polishing with diamond polishing paste/liquid, add QMAXIS DiaFluid water-based polishing lubricant as a lubricant and dispersant. After each polishing step, it is necessary to clean with alcohol or distilled water and dry the sample with compressed air. After the nitric acid alcohol solution corrodes, the sample needs to be washed clean with distilled water first, then cleaned with anhydrous alcohol, and dried with compressed air or a hair dryer.

    Can the above preparation methods help you solve the sample preparation problem? For more technical guidance, please contact QMAXIS customer service or application engineers.