This appendix lists plating solutions and procedures used in metallographic edge preparation.

This chapter compares and contrasts surface-engineering processes based on process availability, corrosion and wear performance, distortion effects, penetration depth or attainable coating thickness, and cost. It provides both quantitative and qualitative information as well as measured property values.

This chapter covers a wide range of finishing and coating operations, including cleaning, honing, polishing and buffing, and lapping. It discusses the use of rust-preventative compounds, conversion coatings, and plating metals as well as weld overlay, thermal spray, and ceramic coatings and various pack cementation and deposition processes. It also discusses the selection and use of industrial paints and paint application methods.

This chapter provides helpful guidelines for selecting a surface treatment for a given application. It identifies important design factors and applicable treatments for common design scenarios, materials, and operating conditions. It explains why heat treatments and finishing operations may be required before or after processing and how to estimate or predict coating thickness, case depth, hardness, and the likelihood of distortion. It also addresses related issues and considerations such as part handling and fixturing, surface preparation and cleaning requirements, processability, aesthetics, and the influence of design features.

This chapter discusses the use of coating methods and materials and their impact on corrosion and wear behaviors. It provides detailed engineering information on a wide range of processes, including organic, ceramic, and hot dip coating, metal plating and cladding, and the use of weld overlays, thermal spraying, and various deposition technologies.

This chapter covers coatings and treatments that are used to improve the friction and wear behaviors of materials. It describes modifications that work by hardening contacting surfaces, including heat treating, vacuum coating, thermal spray, and plating, and those that separate or lubricate surfaces, including solid film, chemical conversion, and vacuum coatings, surface oiling and texturing, and lubricating platings. It compares and contrasts methods based on thickness and depth and their relative effect on friction, erosion, and wear.

This chapter discusses the tooling used for autoclave curing, one of the most common composite fabrication processes. The discussion covers curing practices, material selection factors, and design challenges associated with thermal expansion, tool shrinkage, part complexity, and heating and cooling rates. The chapter also includes best practices and recommendations for toolmaking and assembly.

Stop-off coatings prevent nitriding of selected areas on components. This chapter discusses the processes, advantages, and disadvantages of stop-off techniques for gas nitriding, salt bath nitriding, and ion nitriding.

This appendix is a compilation of tables helpful to metallographers in characterizing irons and steels. The tables include AISI/SAE designations and specific composition ranges for various steels and irons, listings of companies that sell metallographic equipment and supplies, and compositions and usage guidance for etchants, chemical polishing solutions, and coatings.