The students will study the microscope and determine its basic operating and performance characteristics. Literature Review - Students go to the library to learn as much as they can about the type of material they will be studying. They must learn the basic terminology for the classes of alloys, the phases present, and the basic types of structures and morphologies. All major features of the microstructure are measured using standard stereological techniques. The emphasis is on using the correct method correctly, minimizing personal bias, and reporting the results in the correct manner.
Students learn how to operate the diffractometer, how to design, set up and execute an experiment.
The powders are identified by comparing the results to the standard database of powder diffraction files. The quantities of powders present are determined by comparing the results to those from a set of standards which the students generate. Two different techniques are used and the results are compared to the manufacturer's specifications and to images obtained from electron microscopes. This information is used to estimate the residual stress in the specimen. It also includes computer display of ultrasonic inspection data of a flaw in a composite structure.