ASTM STP 155-1954 PDF

Full title and description

Symposium on Techniques for Electron Metallography — ASTM Special Technical Publication (STP) 155, published 1954. A collected volume of papers and practical reports on specimen preparation, replication, etching, shadowing, and electron-microscopy techniques for ferrous and non‑ferrous alloys.

Abstract

This STP gathers invited and contributed papers from Committee E04 on practical methods for electron metallography. Coverage includes techniques for electron microscopy of aluminum alloys, methods for studying precipitated carbides, inorganic replication and interpretation of electron micrographs, extraction-replica methods for steels, metal shadowing for contrast enhancement, specimen polishing and etchants for fine-structure delineation, replica washing, and procedures that permit repeated examinations of the same specimen areas. The collection is intended as a practical reference for laboratory metallographers and microscopists.

General information

• Status: Published (STP publication available from ASTM; commercial reprints/ebook editions listed).
• Publication date: 1954.
• Publisher: ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials / ASTM International), Committee E04.
• ICS / categories: Metallurgy — testing and metallography (ICS group 77; testing of metals / metallography).
• Edition / version: STP 155 (original STP edition published 1954).
• Number of pages: Not listed on the primary product page for the STP (page count varies by format); consult the publisher entry for specific format counts.

Scope

Practical techniques and methods used in electron metallography: specimen preparation (polishing, etching), replication methods (plastic and inorganic replicas, extraction replicas), contrast-enhancement methods (metal shadowing), cleaning/washing of replicas, and special approaches permitting repeated examination of the same area. Emphasis is on procedure descriptions, comparative techniques, and interpretation of electron micrographs for steels and non‑ferrous alloys. Intended as a laboratory/practice compendium rather than a prescriptive test method.

Key topics and requirements

• Techniques used in electron microscopy of aluminum alloys (sample preparation and imaging considerations).
• Study methods for precipitated carbides and fine precipitates (replication and etching approaches).
• Inorganic replication and interpretation of electron micrographs (replica production and artifact recognition).
• Extraction-replica techniques for steel microstructure examination.
• Metal shadowing for contrast enhancement: choice of shadow metal and shadow angle.
• Specimen polishing and etchant selection for delineation of fine structure in steel.
• Replica washing methods and handling to avoid contamination/artifacts.
• Techniques permitting successive examinations of specific areas (methods to preserve and relocate regions of interest).

Typical use and users

Used as a practical reference by materials scientists, metallographers, electron-microscopy technicians, failure‑analysis engineers, and academic researchers working on microstructure characterization. Laboratories performing TEM/STEM/SEM of metals and alloys will find the procedural descriptions and comparative notes useful for specimen preparation and replica techniques. For terminology and formal definitions in metallography, pair this STP with current ASTM terminology standards.

Related standards

ASTM E7 (Standard Terminology Relating to Metallography) is a complementary reference for terms used in this STP; other ASTM STPs and committee E04 publications on light microscopy and metallographic practices are also related (the ASTMs STP series includes other symposia on microscopy and materials testing). For series context see ASTM’s listing of STP publications.

Keywords

electron metallography; specimen preparation; replicas; extraction replica; metal shadowing; polishing techniques; etchants; electron microscopy; microstructure; ASTM STP 155; Committee E04.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is an ASTM Special Technical Publication (STP 155) — a collected symposium volume titled "Symposium on Techniques for Electron Metallography" published in 1954 that compiles practical papers on electron‑microscopy methods for metallography.

Q: What does it cover?

A: Procedure descriptions and comparative discussions of techniques for electron metallography, including replication (plastic and inorganic), extraction replicas for steels, shadowing/contrast methods, polishing and etching practices, and methods to permit repeated examination of specific specimen areas.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials scientists, metallographers, electron microscopy lab staff, failure‑analysis engineers, and researchers who need historical and practical technique descriptions for electron‑microscopy of metals and alloys.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: This STP is a historical/technical symposium volume (1954). It remains a useful practical reference for classic techniques but is not a modern prescriptive test standard; for up‑to‑date terminology and formal procedures consult current ASTM standards and guides (for example ASTM E7 for metallography terminology).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of ASTM’s STP (Symposia Papers & STPs) publication series produced by Committee E04; related STPs cover other microscopy and materials topics.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Electron metallography, specimen preparation, replicas, metal shadowing, polishing, etchants, microstructure, ASTM STP 155.