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The use of geometrical models as a stereological aid exemplified by the solidification geometry of ferrous metals
Author(s) -
Wlodawer Robert
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1972.tb03728.x
Subject(s) - eutectic system , materials science , geometry , process (computing) , crystallization , porosity , casting , mechanics , metallurgy , composite material , alloy , computer science , thermodynamics , physics , mathematics , operating system
SUMMARY In the present paper, model geometry is used to describe the three‐dimensional nature of some structural constituents of ferrous metals, such as cells, grains, dendrites, networks etc. in the course of their solidification process. Based on micrographs of eutectic cells, highly magnified model structures were built. By cutting the models, all the features found in real micrographs (cell boundaries, groupings, phosphide figures etc.) could be simulated. Using the known geometrical properties of the models, parameters such as the porosity due to phosphides, can be calculated; this allowed precautionary casting techniques to be derived. Further, conclusions could be drawn about processes occurring during structure formation, i.e. during cooling and solidification of the metal. A geometrical derivation of various equations for internal surfaces, hydraulic diameters during the last moments of crystallization etc., and the technological applications of this knowledge are possible. As structural constituents of metals are sometimes complicated bodies, our more intuitive geometrical approach using models often provides more reliable information about their appearance than very elegant but abstract arithmetical methods.