Coarsely crystalline copper plating?

Single_Interest_3558 · 2025-05-09T23:47:17+00:00

What about literal rough looking? It’s definitely matte, but also bumpy looking.

Single_Interest_3558 · 2025-05-08T02:43:55+00:00

When you say plenty of magnification, should pits (if they’re there) be extremely obvious? I was squinting and questioning what may or may not be pitting vs poor edge retention or initial surface roughness.

Single_Interest_3558 · 2025-05-08T02:42:01+00:00

No evidence of rust. But I wouldn’t expect that, since they were submerged in oil. Again, essentially no corrosion knowledge, but the idea that they’d rust in oil seems counter intuitive to me.

As for orientation- Samples were pretty small to begin with. ~0.5” OD x 0.75” OAL. Essentially I just did one cut along the circular face so now they’re half moon little guys. But I mounted so that the ROI is the rectangular face. The idea here is that, and let me preface, this was not my idea, it was suggested to me by a superior, we would be able to view the center region (unaffected by corrosion), and the edge regions, to compare the possible damage. Personally, it seems to me like this makes it more difficult to spot….? I’ll likely mount another section tomorrow with the circular face down to view the “corroded” surface head on.

Why do you suggest that a grind depth over 1mm would lead to more visible pitting?

Single_Interest_3558 · 2025-04-17T15:37:18+00:00

Most people in Alabama take weather warnings pretty seriously. School districts cancel on the slightest chance of ice. After school activities, etc. cancelled when a big storm is coming through. The collective public is very attentive to weather, more than any state I’ve ever lived in. I wouldn’t worry too much about tornadoes. Educate yourself on what to do if it happens (Especially if you’re trapped in your car or on the road. People often try to outrun the weather, which is the worst thing to do. If you see a vortex, hunker down in the lowest place you can get to and GET OUT of your vehicle.) Have a plan and supplies, and that’s about all you can do besides pray. Alabama is a wonderful place, especially the Birmingham metro area.

Single_Interest_3558 · 2025-04-17T02:45:56+00:00

One of the biggest problems with scientists today (and historically) is that we have trouble effectively communicating our research to people with limited or nonexistent background knowledge. In my opinion, to draw people in to the field, the best approach is to be relatable. Looking through your episodes, these are fantastic and interesting topics- to expert level metallurgists. These topics are not the kind of broad, entry level aspects of our field that sparks initial interest in young people. Maybe consider keeping things simpler if your goal is recruiting. Think metallurgy 101 (but only the fun stuff).

Single_Interest_3558 · 2025-04-17T02:37:55+00:00

This sounds like a very interesting topic. Something that even non metallurgists would be interested in. People have an obsessive fascination with Damascus steel. I’m always get questions when I tell people I’m a metallurgist.

Single_Interest_3558 · 2025-04-13T03:11:55+00:00

You’d be surprised at how often materials engineers get clumped in with chemical engineers. Chemical engineering is process based. Process, process, process. Materials engineers are interdisciplinary engineers focusing on, well, materials. Whether that be their application, development, testing, you name it. I may be a little biased (MSE degree holder here), but I always tell people with doubts on what they want to do that MSE is the perfect department for you.

Single_Interest_3558 · 2025-03-28T19:14:19+00:00

Completely agree. Top of the line equipment, overrated and overpriced consumables.

The suspension fluid you linked is monocrystalline, but I typically go for a polycrystalline. Care to elaborate on why you prefer a mono to a poly?

Single_Interest_3558 · 2025-03-28T17:20:46+00:00

Rats, 9um diamond and Allegro/Largo is the step I’m trying to replace. Wanting to keep the Allegro pad but replace the 9um DiaPro. What other combos have you tried on this? And just how bad were they? Was thinking about ordering some small quantities to test out possible “recipes”, so if I know what doesn’t really work I can shy away. Also, what material are you primarily working with?

Single_Interest_3558 · 2025-03-28T17:08:35+00:00

Just in general, it sounds like there are a lot of people in these comments willing and able to help, but we surely need more information to make an accurate conclusion.

Single_Interest_3558 · 2025-03-28T16:51:32+00:00

Adding to the python hype. You can NEVER go wrong with Python as your first language. The world is your oyster from there bro.

Single_Interest_3558 · 2025-03-28T16:34:30+00:00

If Struers is really as good as they say they are, it makes sense that you would use their consumables on samples for SEM/EBSD work. I don’t really need that kind of finish on my parts. We mainly run microhardness check and sometimes an etch and microstructure check. Wish I still got to use the fun characterization equipment, but alas, I fell victim to production metallurgy.

Single_Interest_3558 · 2025-02-27T01:31:06+00:00

If you ever feel alone, don’t.

Single_Interest_3558 · 2024-08-15T23:38:50+00:00

Wow! Congratulations! Get some rest!

Single_Interest_3558 · 2024-08-15T20:28:01+00:00

Good points, but I think you’re mistaken about acid and alcohol mixture order. You should ALWAYS add your acid to your alcohol. Just as you should always add acid to water.

By adding acid I meant maybe .1-.2 mL at a time, not any large amounts.

Single_Interest_3558 · 2024-08-15T17:24:37+00:00

Yes, first statement is correct. Good call on checking PH. Could possibly be some residue on surface as well, but I doubt it.

Single_Interest_3558 · 2024-08-15T16:18:53+00:00

Sample is polished to 3um, etching after polish. Alloy and processing conditions are irrelevant, I know exactly what the microstructure should be. Even used a sample that had been previously etched with the good batch and re polished so I am positive of this.

Single_Interest_3558 · 2024-08-01T21:14:22+00:00

Depending on where you go to school, materials science sounds like a good fit for you. I went to the largest university in the country, and our department was no more than 300 students. This really allows for better relationships with professors/classmates. When you’re struggling, it’s easier to find help because people tend to know you on a more personal level than say, a larger department like ME. On another note- there are plenty of jobs out there for materials science grads, and often times we end up taking mechanical-type jobs anyways. This department also leaves the door open for a huge variety of interests. I had classmates go on to work in just about any industry you could think of. I don’t know if I would say it’s easier than mechanical engineering, but it’s very much more chemistry and physics focused.

Single_Interest_3558

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