Light Microscopy
Light microscopy, also known as light optical microscopy (LOM), is a fast and easy to use technique for imaging up to 1000x magnification. The technique is widely used for validation of various manufacturing processes such as welding, heat treatments, and cold working methods. Imaging using LOM is mostly used on polished and etched specimens to study the microstructure of metals.
Light microscopy plays an important role in failure investigations to ensure that a material meets certain specified criteria. Materials characterisation using LOM is typically used for phase identification but may also be used to reveal possible material deviations such as undesired deformation, cracks, pores and/or slag inclusions.
Typical applications:
- Microstructural studies and grain size measurements
- Plating and coating thickness
- Crack characteristics
- Welding defects
Leica DRME Light Microscope
