• Determination of the content of nonmetallic inclusions
• Determination of the average crystalline grain size
• Determination of decarburization depth
• Determination of thickness and microstructure of surface coatings (coatings)
• Determination of hardening depth of surface heat treatments such as surface hardening, nitriding, carburizing, carbonitriding
  

In essence, it is the fascinating world of the infinitely small. With appropriate preparations, mirror-polished specimen surfaces are obtained and, with subsequent chemical or electrochemical attacks, their structure can be observed using optical microscopes that allow viewing up to 1,500 magnifications.
Sometimes, however, it is necessary to go further. For this reason, the SMT materials testing laboratory has equipped itself with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) that allows for up to 150,000 magnifications.
The scanning electron microscope is also equipped with an EDS probe to carry out point semi qualitative analysis of the observed sample (microanalysis).