Application of Electrolyzation Sampling in Stainless Steel Metallographic Examination

The high efficient metallographic examination of austenitic,ferritic and martensitic stainless steel was explored with electro-polishing apparatus. The influencing factors, open questions, matters need attention, common deficiency and corrective measures in the preparing samples by means of electrolyzation were discussed. The results show that better electrolyzation examination can be obtained with proper electrolytic parameter and electrolyte. If the electrolytic parameter and electrolyte is not rational, defects such as oxide film, etch pits and over etching would exist on the surface of the prepared samples. However, some deficiency existed in the preparing samples by mean of electrolyzation such as reverse edge,worse inclusion and carbide examination. Besides, the electrolyte shoule be continuous stirred and refreshed in time in the course of preparing sample with electrolyzatioin.