Microstructure from a Steel Alloy Wheel from a Earth Moving Vehicle

Vinay Patel - University Staff

The following optical image is taken at X200 magnification and shows the microstructure of a mild steel alloy used to make a large wheel for an earth moving vehicle based in an Australian mining facility.

In order to reveal the microstructure a chemical solution of 2% Nitric Acid in Ethanol was used after an initial grinding and polishing stage.