Metallographic preparation, contrasting, and examination of layers of scale on hot-rolled low-alloy steels

Abstract A clear characterization of layers of scale on hot-rolled steels does not only require a careful preparation of the samples but also a delineation of the individual scale phases. In this work, it could be shown that etching using dilute hydrochloric acid improved the distinction of the individual oxide phases during the light microscope examination of layers of scale. Furthermore, metallurgical analyses provide valuable information on the quantitative composition as well as on the qualitative element distribution in the layer of scale thus also facilitating the distinction of the scale phases.