For generating complete history for every material, structural characterization is always started from the naked eye. At start features like any inclusions, porosity and beach marks are observed in a sample. For revealing these features, we can also use a stereomicroscope and magnifying glass.
All those structural features which can be visualized up to 50X fall under the category of Macroscope. While, in microstructure, features that are not visible with the naked eye like grain morphology, secondary phases, and grain boundaries come under consideration.
Fractography can be best studied using macroscopic features while structure-property relationships require more in-depth study i.e. microstructural characterizations.
Microscopy can give information concerning a material’s composition, previous treatment, and properties. Significant features which might be on an interest are;
Grains, grain boundary and grain size
Chemical phases and homogeneity
phases distribution in microstructure
deformed grains and elongated microstructure in result of cold and hot working.