Four Major Steps of Metallographic Specimen Preparation | Complete Equipment for Metallographic Cutting, Mounting, Grinding & Polishing and Microscopic Observation

2026-10-09

Source: Wanvei Editor

To obtain reliable test results of material microstructure, standardized metallographic specimen preparation serves as the foundation. The complete specimen preparation workflow consists of four major stages: sampling, mounting, grinding & polishing, and microscopic observation. The performance of equipment selected for each stage will directly affect the final metallographic observation results. Chongqing Wanwei Instrument provides full-range metallographic specimen preparation equipment to complete metallographic sample preparation in one-stop service.

01 Step 1: Metallographic Cutting Machine (Specimen Sampling)

Sampling is the starting point of metallographic sample preparation. The Wanwei QG series metallographic cutting machine is optimized in terms of safety, precision, durability and operation convenience to solve various problems in traditional sampling work.

✅ Suitable for metallographic and petrographic sampling tasks. It can steadily cut metallic and non-metallic specimens to meet the requirements of standardized laboratory sample preparation.

✅ Equipped with a quick clamping mechanism for easy specimen loading and unloading. Round bars, plates and irregular workpieces can be firmly clamped to improve sample preparation efficiency.

✅ The whole machine is fitted with a circulating cooling water tank. Cooling liquid circulates continuously to remove heat and prevent high temperature from damaging the metallographic structure of specimens. The cooling system comes with a filtering structure for easy cleaning and maintenance.

✅ The grinding wheel sleeve, jaw and workbench are made of stainless steel, featuring wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Simple daily maintenance reduces long-term operation costs.

✅ A wide range of models are available, including basic desktop, flip-top and vertical flip-top types. Manual and manual-automatic integrated operation modes are supported, and non-standard customization is available according to specimen requirements.

Standard Model Parameters

表格

Model	Max. Cutting Section	Cutting Wheel Size	Spindle Speed	Operation Mode
QG-1	Φ35mm	300×2×32mm	2800r/min	Manual
QG-2	Φ50mm	300×2×32mm	2800r/min	Manual
QG-65T (Desktop Flip-top)	Φ65mm	300×2×32mm	2800r/min	Manual / Automatic Optional
QG-85T (Desktop Flip-top)	Φ85mm	300×2×32mm	2800r/min	Manual / Automatic Optional
QG-65T (Vertical Flip-top)	Φ65mm	300×2×32mm	2800r/min	Manual / Automatic Optional
QG-85T (Vertical Flip-top)	Φ85mm	300×2×32mm	2800r/min	Manual / Automatic Optional

02 Step 2: Metallographic Mounting Press (Specimen Consolidation)

After sampling, tiny, thin, brittle or irregular specimens need consolidation treatment with a metallographic mounting press. Wanwei metallographic mounting press adopts the hot compression curing process to press irregular specimens into standard-sized sample blocks and solve multiple sample preparation challenges:

✅ Firmly fix thin, brittle and tiny specimens to avoid deformation and damage during subsequent grinding and polishing.

✅ Unify the overall dimension of specimens to ensure uniform stress during grinding, flat observation surface and stable detection accuracy.

✅ Protect specimen edges and reduce common defects such as edge chipping and chamfering.

✅ Compatible with both conductive and insulating mounting compounds to cover multiple material detection scenarios.

Standard Model Parameters

表格

Model	Equipment Type	Specimen Size	Control System	Number of Stations
XQ-2B	Manual Mounting Press	Φ22 / Φ30 / Φ45mm	Digital temperature control + physical adjustment knob	1
ZXQ-3Q	Pneumatic Single-head Automatic Mounting Press	Φ22 / Φ30 / Φ45mm	PLC intelligent control + 7-inch touch screen, precise temperature & pressure control, built-in automatic water cooling	1
ZXQ-4Q	Pneumatic Double-head Automatic Mounting Press	Φ22 / Φ30 / Φ45mm	PLC intelligent control + 7-inch touch screen, precise temperature & pressure control, built-in automatic water cooling	2

03 Step 3: Metallographic Grinding & Polishing Machine (Specimen Grinding and Polishing)

Grinding and polishing is the core stage of metallographic sample preparation. Wanwei metallographic grinding & polishing machine performs rough grinding, fine grinding and mirror polishing sequentially on cut and mounted specimens to eliminate surface processing damage and prepare flat, deformation-free mirror samples for metallographic microstructure observation.

✅ The machine body adopts thickened sheet metal with plastic spraying, matched with an ABS sewage collection tray. It is stain-resistant and easy to clean, with strong overall stability and low maintenance difficulty.

✅ Equipped with a full-copper motor featuring low vibration and low noise during operation. It guarantees uniform grinding and polishing and extends service life.

✅ Variable frequency drive design integrates multi-speed quick switching, stepless speed regulation and timing functions, supporting forward/reverse rotation and dual-disc synchronous operation.

✅ Non-standard customization is supported. Manual, semi-automatic and automatic versions are optional. The grinding head can be configured with 1 to 6 specimen stations. A full-copper water faucet is standard, featuring excellent rust resistance.

Standard Model Parameters

表格

Model	Grinding Disc Diameter	Speed Regulation Mode	Number of Specimens per Batch
MP-2	φ200mm	500/1000r/min Dual-speed	Dual-disc Operation
MPZ-2B-1, MPZ-2B-2	φ230mm	50–1000r/min Stepless Speed Regulation	1–3 pcs
YMPZ-2M, YMPZ-2M-2	φ230/250/300mm	Multi-speed Fixed + Stepless Speed Regulation	4 - 6 pcs

04 Step 4: Metallographic Microscope (Microstructure Observation)

After cutting, mounting and polishing, specimens can be observed for microstructure by metallographic microscopes. Chongqing Wanwei Instrument provides two types of metallographic microscopes: upright and inverted. Users can select the model according to sample forms to complete metallographic structure analysis and detection judgment.

Upright Metallographic Microscope FL7000W

✅ The objective lens is installed above the stage; the observation surface of samples is placed upward for intuitive and simple sample loading

✅ Compact overall structure for convenient daily maintenance

✅ Excellent imaging quality under high magnification objectives

✅ Suitable for observation of mounted samples, thin slices, coatings and other small specimens

Inverted Metallographic Microscope FCM-5000W

✅ The objective lens is installed under the stage, with almost no limit on sample thickness

✅ Only the observation surface needs grinding and polishing; the back of samples does not require leveling. Large heavy workpieces can be directly tested on the machine

✅ The stage boasts excellent load-bearing performance, suitable for metallographic inspection of forgings, castings and large parts

✅ Widely applied in industrial physical and chemical inspection and material failure analysis

Standard Model Parameters

表格

Upright Metallographic Microscope FL7000W	Inverted Metallographic Microscope FCM-5000W
Finite achromatic optical system	Infinite achromatic optical system
Trinocular tube, inclined at 30°, with switchable built-in polarizer	Hinged binocular tube, inclined at 45°, interpupillary distance adjustable from 53~75mm
Wide-field WF10X (Φ18mm)	Plan wide-field eyepiece WF10X/22mm (Optional)
Standard: PL L5X,10X,40X,60X (Long working distance plan achromatic objective)	Standard: PL L10X,20X,50X,100X (Infinite plan achromatic objective)
4-hole ball bearing revolving nosepiece	5-hole ball bearing revolving nosepiece
Coaxial coarse & fine focusing, fine movement value 2μm, with locking and limit device	Coaxial coarse & fine focusing, fine movement value 2μm, with locking device
Double-layer mechanical stage, 185×140mm, moving range 75×50mm	Mechanical stage 242×200mm, moving range 30×30mm, rotatable circular stage
6V20W halogen lamp, adjustable brightness, epi-illumination, with polarizer	6V30W halogen lamp, adjustable brightness, polarizer & analyzer set
FMIA2023 software, 5MP Sony camera, 0.65X adapter, micrometer	FMIA2020 software, 3MP Sony camera, 0.65X adapter, micrometer
Optional: cross reticle eyepiece,16X eyepiece, multiple objectives,12MP camera, HP computer	Optional: multiple objectives, HP commercial computer

The whole metallographic sample preparation process is connected by sampling, mounting, grinding & polishing and microscopic observation, and all stages are closely linked. Chongqing Wanwei Instrument supplies a full range of metallographic sample preparation equipment, which can meet various material testing requirements of universities and factory physical & chemical laboratories. Non-standard customization is supported to provide stable hardware support for metallographic structure analysis.

If you need a quotation and solution for metallographic sample preparation equipment, please contact Chongqing Wanwei Instrument. We will customize exclusive complete metallographic sample preparation solutions according to your sample types and testing frequency.