ABSTRACT
Examination of the microstructure of metals has been practised since it was developed by Professor Henry Sorby at Sheffi eld in the early 1860s and it is safe to say that of all the investigational tools available to him, the average materials scientist would be least likely to be without his microscope. With the aid of quite a modest instrument, a trained metallurgist can obtain an enormous amount of information from the microscopical examination of a metal or alloy. In addition to being able to fi nd evidence of possible causes of failure of a material, he can often estimate its composition, as well as forecast what its mechanical properties are likely to be. Moreover, in the fi elds of pure metallurgical research, the microscope fi gures as the most frequently used piece of equipment.
