Three-dimensional analysis of microstructures

When using traditional metallographic techniques, materials scientists often make assumptions about the shape, distribution, and connectivity of three-dimensional (3D) features that lie buried within the material. Recent work has shown that these assumptions can be incorrect. An approach to 3D analysis of microstructures is demonstrated here in three different alloy steels. Proeutectoid cementite, ferrite, and an entire pearlite colony were characterized using computer-aided visualization of 3D reconstructions from serial section images. The present article describes various experimental techniques, as well as recent results and advances in computer-aided reconstruction and visualization.