First check that you can get a representative sample of the component’s surface – e.g. a cube of about 1cm side from a scrap component. Determine the chemical composition of the component and its thermo-mechanical history e.g. casting, forging, fabrication etc. Supply sample and details to a metallurgist requesting a metallographic examination of the sample’s surface region – before and after etching. Particular attention should be paid to the presence of inclusions and voids. Microphotographs should be supplied to verify any significant metallographic features.
