Metallography and Microscopy

The Metallography Team operates and maintains a modern metallographic sample preparation and analysis laboratory that is capable of handling a wide range of actinide materials for both scientific and production missions. Capabilities include: cutting, grinding, and polishing, optical metallography and microscopy, grain-size analysis, X-ray diffraction (powder and single-crystal), and micro-hardness testing. These capabilities are used to support a myriad of programs and projecting such as Basic Actinide Science and Research, Pit Manufacturing, Pit Surveillance, Nuclear Fuels Research and Development, and the Isotopic Fuels Impact Tester (IFIT).

Microstructure Characterization