Structural testing through replication metallography is a non-destructive method that consists of producing a replica of the microstructure of the inspected item’s surface with a special film. The surface of the tested specimen should be ground, polished and etched to reveal the microstructure. Then the microstructure image is transposed from the metallographic specimen to the film. The image thus obtained is the negative of the microstructure profile, which is assessed on a metallography microscope or scanner in the same way as a microsection obtained conventionally.
