While being very good thermal and electrical conductors, copper alloys are also very ductile.
The challenge of the metallographic preparation of copper alloys is to avoid strain hardening and also to avoid embedding abrasive grains in the sample.
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Copper after etching with an alcohol-based solution of acid iron III
Process
First pre-polishing step:
Second polishing step with monocrystalline diamond suspension:
Third polishing step with monocrystalline diamond suspension:
Fourth finishing step with monocrystalline diamond suspension:
Fifth super finishing step with Colloidal Silica:
Etching: