Metallurgical microscopes illuminate solid samples from above, allowing inspection and measurement. They can have color filters and connect to computers. Inverted metallurgical microscopes view samples from below and are used in various industries for quality control and analysis.
A metallurgical microscope uses a different illumination method than a conventional microscope and can illuminate solid samples to identify, inspect and measure them. They are like other light microscopes except for the orientation of the light. Some industries use inverted metallurgical microscopes, which view the sample from under the stage or table. Electronic component manufacturers, forensic laboratories, and metal foundries all use this type of tool.
A conventional microscope illuminates a transparent specimen from under the stage, making it visible through the eyepiece. Because light cannot penetrate opaque or solid objects, this is not a suitable method for viewing these specimens under magnification. Metallurgical microscopes illuminate objects from above, either with an external light source or with that light traveling through magnifying lenses using beam splitters. This lighting technique illuminates the entire object without creating annoying or unnecessary reflections.
Lighting technology may include color filters or filters designed to change the polarization and intensity of light. These options allow you to view objects in brightfield or darkfield applications. The filters may be contained in a removable cartridge inside the microscope body.
The eyepiece on a metallurgical microscope can be singular or binocular, and most microscopes can connect directly to a computer for viewing the specimen on a screen. Field of view (FOV) varies by microscope make and model, with some offering FOVs as small as 0.787 inches (20 millimeters) in diameter. Microscopes can have three to four objectives with a range of magnification capabilities. Some versions are capable of zooming up to 1,250 times.
Another type of microscope used for industrial purposes is the inverted metallurgical microscope. This type of instrument has the lens under the stage, which allows for the viewing of specimens of varying size. Since individuals typically use a metallurgical microscope to observe surface texture, large objects can be placed on the stage without anyone making contact with the objectives. Researchers also place flasks or bottles on the stage, observing the microorganisms within a liquid environment.
Electronics manufacturers often use a metallurgical microscope as a quality control tool, inspecting parts for microscopic defects. Forensic labs use the tool to identify firing patterns on bullets and shell casings or to analyze the surface of bone and other material. Metal foundries use metallurgical light microscopes for grain analysis and to determine the structure of the metals produced. Scientists use microscopes to analyze and identify metallic components.
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