The Use of Metallographic Standards in Calibration of the Polishing Process

The metallographic process for evaluating thermally sprayed coatings is sometimes viewed as a variable process in the scope of coating evaluation. There is always a question as to whether the failure of a coating is polishing related or an actual change in the spray production process. The use of metallographic standards similar to hardness calibration can be implemented to provide assurance of a repeatable metallographic polishing. Development and use of the standards will be discussed and examples given of the standards principle.