Case Hardened steel with case depth showing a layer of high percentage of retained austenite
Grain Flow Analysis:
This type of analysis detects and examines the flow of the granular structure after a forming operation, a forging operation, thread forming operation, cold heading operation, etc. This is crucial to determining the quality of say a forging operation or a even a welding operation such as inertia/friction welding. This examination will determine if the grain flow is continuous and resolved and follows the contour of the part. This will also determine after a welding operation (inertia/friction weld) if the weld created two relatively equally heated surfaces that have a combined grain flow. This is crucial for strength and soundness of the material. It is performed through proper preparation and hot acid etching and examination.
