Getting to Know the Different Parts of a Metallurgical Microscope
The parts of a metallurgical microscope are almost the same with ordinary optical microscopes except for two things: firstly, it uses a different illumination system to enable it to produce clear and sharp magnified images of metals and alloys, even with their shiny surfaces. Secondly, a metallurgical microscope may come with an XY stage similar to those used by measuring and tool maker microscopes.
Getting to Know the Different Parts of a Metallurgical Microscope
Eyepieces – There are various types of eyepieces used in microscopes but there are those specially built for metallurgical microscopes. Eyepieces are one half of what makes the total magnification of a microscope. They are also what determines the field of view or how much of the image of the sample you can see. The best eyepieces cannot improve low levels or quality of the objective lenses you’re using but a poorly designed eyepiece can reduce the quality of image resolution provided by the microscope’s objectives.
Objective – As it is with all types of microscopes, it’s important for you to invest in a good to excellent quality of objective lenses. It’s in fact better if you work with a pair of excellent objectives rather than have various lenses of mediocre quality. There are also various types of objectives sold in the market today and you can use two different types of objectives at the same time in certain occasions. Objectives make the other half of your microscope’s magnification. Multiplying the eyepiece magnification with that of the objectives will give you your microscope’s total magnification.
Condenser – In an upright metallurgical microscope, you’ll find it beneath the stage and that’s why it’s often referred to as the substage condenser. In inverted metallurgical microscopes, however, the condenser is located above the stage.
A condenser is one of the most important parts of a microscope’s illumination system. When the light source beams off light, it will be collected, concentrated, and controlled by the condenser. It is also partly because of the condenser that a metallurgical microscope is able to use various types of illumination such as polarized light and epi bright field optics.
People mistakenly adjust the condenser’s focus knobs to adjust light intensity. If this is the problem, you shouldn’t be adjusting the condenser but rather the aperture iris diaphragm. If field brightness that’s the problem then adjust or change the filter you’re using and not the condenser. The condenser focus knob is simply there to adjust its vertical height and nothing else.
Aperture Iris Diaphragm – This is part of your metallurgical microscope’s condenser.
Adjusting it enables you to reduce or increase light angle coming from the condenser.
Filter and Filter Holder or Carrier – Filters are also the other reason why you can use several illumination systems for your metallurgical microscope. The filter carrier is attached or found right next to the substage condenser. Purchase of additional filters can expand the applications of your microscope and the types of objects it is able to study.
Nosepiece – This is also known as the objective changer and it is where the objective lenses of a metallurgical microscope are located. A nosepiece holding five lenses is more than enough but four is good as well. Three is adequate but two or one might be troublesome because you’d then have to manually change lenses when the two currently attached are unsuitable for the object you’re examining.
Stage – This is where you place your object. Also known as your microscope’s platform, a stage may be built-in or integrated with the rest of the microscope or mechanical. It may come with a simple plane design or in a XY style for better precision in positioning your object. Interchangeability of stages depends primarily on the model you wish to purchase.
Coarse Adjustment Knobs – These are the bigger knobs found on your metallurgical microscope and are there to lift or lower the stage or body tube.
Fine Focus Knob – These are the smaller knobs on your metallurgical microscope and are there to adjust focus on the object.
Foot – This represents the base of your metallurgical microscope. If possible, look for one with a magnetic base to allow you to study objects at any angle.
Eyepiece Tube – This is where the eyepiece is inserted and it’s what connects the eyepiece to the rest of the metallurgical microscope. This is where video and camera accessories may also be attached.
And these are the most important parts of a metallurgical microscope. Locating them and understanding their respective functions will help improve your skills and broaden your experience in working with metallurgical microscopes.
