ABSTRACT
Materials characterization is almost always involved in failure analysis investi-
gations. It requires knowledge of the overall composition of the material, as
well as its microstructural features. Chemical composition refers to the elemental
constituents of the material and their concentrations. By definition, microstruc-
ture refers to the internal structural features of a material which cannot be visually
observed. They are to be distinguished from macrostructural features such as
large cracks, porosity, and fracture characteristics which can be observed either
visually or by using a low-power hand lens.
