Syllabus

Experiments for Ceramography and Microscopy Laboratory:
1. Ceramography specimen preparation I: Sectioning and sawing, mounting of samples.
This session involves the initial preparation of ceramic samples for microscopy, including sawing of bigger samples using motorized blades, sectioning of the samples. Different methods in resin-based mounting and curing of samples will be conducted.

2. Ceramography specimen preparation II: Grinding, polishing, lapping, etching.
This session involves working with the cured sample mounts for subsequent grinding, polishing, and lapping operations using various grit size of abrasives. Further, chemical and thermal etching of the polished samples will be conducted.

3. Microscopy: Basic principles and demonstration of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy.
Basic principles of optical microscopy will be discussed and demonstrated for the imaging of polished specimens with micron-sized grains. Basics of scanning electron microscopy shall be discussed and its usability for fine grained samples.

4. Quantitative ceramography: Grain size determination, shape, anisotropy, porosity and second phase calculation.
Micrographs obtained from optical/electron microscopy shall be used to compute average grain size, anisotropy, and porosity/second phases with the use of software tools and manual methods.

5. Microscopy of oxide ceramics: Al2O3, ZrO2, MgAl2O4.
Dense engineering ceramic samples will be analyzed.

6. Microscopy of industrial ceramics: Refractories, Triaxial bodies.
Industrial ceramic samples, such as single and multi-phase refractories, triaxial bodies.

7. Microscopy of non-oxide ceramics: SiC/Si3N4/B4C/SiAlON.
Non-oxide ceramics, which are typically hard and follow a different set of precedures, will be demonstrated and hands-on experiments conducted.

To impart essential hands-on knowledge and experience on the art and science of preparation, analysis, and evaluation of ceramic microstructures.

To provide basic and sophisticated mechanical, electrical, and materials tools to prepare microstructures of ceramics and materials for examination.

To provide methods for the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of various types of ceramic microstructures.

CO1: Ability to apply theoretical knowledge in the preparation, analysis, and evaluation of ceramic microstructures.
CO2: Familiarity with the application of basic and advanced laboratory methods for the fabrication of specimens for microstructural analysis.
CO3: Familiarity with basic and advanced imaging tools to effectively examine ceramic microstructures.
CO4: Ability to apply skills of microstructure analysis in the problem solving of industrial operations.
CO5: Ability to comprehend and analyze modern materials and design approaches for their microstructural evaluation.

Richard E Chinn, Ceramography: Preparation and Analysis of Ceramic Microstructures, Wiley-American Ceramics Society, 2002.

G E Vander Voort, Metallography: Principles and Practice, American Society of Metals, 1987.

I D Marinescu, H K Tonshoff, I Inasaki Ed., Handbook of Ceramic Grinding and Polishing, Noyes Publications/William Andrew Publishing LLC, 2000.