A new tint to obtain coloured metallographic structures of tempered cast iron, carbon steel and alloys

A new method for preparation of metallographic samples, based on application of phthalocyanine blue diluted with nitrocellulose resin, is presented. A thin layer of the dye was applied onto cast iron or carbon steel samples and alloys prior to observation under optical microscopy. Highly resolved coloured micrographs were obtained for quenching structures or isothermal cooling of carbon iron alloys.