{"id":3223,"date":"2026-06-24T16:13:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T14:13:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.technical-center.de\/wiki\/component-metallography\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T16:13:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T14:13:04","slug":"component-metallography","status":"publish","type":"encyclopedia","link":"https:\/\/www.technical-center.de\/en\/glossary\/component-metallography\/","title":{"rendered":"Component Metallography"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Definition:<\/strong> Component <a class=\"tc-inlink\" href=\"\/en\/materials-testing-analysis\/metallography-microstructure-analysis\/\">metallography<\/a> is the metallographic examination of the microstructure directly on the component or on representatively extracted samples. It serves to assess heat-treatment conditions, weld seam qualities and damage-relevant microstructural changes. It is based on preparative sectioning techniques as well as light or electron microscopy analyses.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Practical relevance:<\/strong> Grain size (DIN EN ISO 643), phase distribution, precipitates, crack formation or decarburisation depths are evaluated. The method is central to <a class=\"tc-inlink\" href=\"\/en\/failure-analysis-forensic-engineering\/\">failure analysis<\/a>, in cases of suspected HTHA (High Temperature Hydrogen Attack) or for verifying <a class=\"tc-inlink\" href=\"\/en\/materials-engineering\/creation-testing-material-specifications\/\">material specifications<\/a>. Replica techniques enable in-situ examinations without full disassembly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Decision-making perspectives:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Technical decision-makers:<\/strong> assessment of microstructural inhomogeneities, weld seam zones and remaining service life.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Purchasing\/project management:<\/strong> verification of specification-compliant heat treatment and manufacturing quality.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Science:<\/strong> microstructure analysis, correlation of microstructure and mechanical properties.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Insurance\/law:<\/strong> documentation of the material condition to secure evidence in the event of damage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Typical testing or verification methods:<\/strong> sample preparation, light microscopy, <a class=\"tc-inlink\" href=\"\/en\/materials-testing-analysis\/scanning-electron-microscopy-function-application\/\">scanning electron microscopy<\/a> (SEM), hardness testing, microstructure etching.<\/p>\n<p><strong>FAQ:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Is component metallography possible non-destructively?<\/li>\n<li>Replica methods are minimally invasive; classic sectioning examinations require material extraction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"template":"","encyclopedia-tag":[],"class_list":["post-3223","encyclopedia","type-encyclopedia","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.technical-center.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia\/3223","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.technical-center.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.technical-center.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/encyclopedia"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.technical-center.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3223"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"encyclopedia-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.technical-center.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia-tag?post=3223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}