Replication, in
metallography, is the use of thin plastic films to nondestructively duplicate the
microstructure of a component. The film is then examined at high
magnification
Magnification is the process of enlarging the apparent size, not physical size, of something. This enlargement is quantified by a calculated number also called "magnification". When this number is less than one, it refers to a reduction in siz ...
s.
Replication is a method of copying the
topography of a surface by casting or impressing material onto the surface. It is the commonly used technique to duplicate surfaces that are inaccessible in
metrology
Metrology is the scientific study of measurement. It establishes a common understanding of units, crucial in linking human activities. Modern metrology has its roots in the French Revolution's political motivation to standardise units in Fran ...
to other forms of
nondestructive testing
Nondestructive testing (NDT) is any of a wide group of analysis techniques used in science and technology industry to evaluate the properties of a material, component or system without causing damage.
The terms nondestructive examination (NDE), n ...
. Replicas can be used in biology as well:
The replicas may be imaged in the light microscope or coated with heavy metals, the replicating film melted away, and the heavy metal replica imaged in a
Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM).
The same materials,
cellulose acetate films, are used for creating replicas of biological materials such as bacteria.
Metallurgy
Nondestructive testing
Field Metallurgical Replication (FMR), in
field metallography
Field may refer to:
Expanses of open ground
* Field (agriculture), an area of land used for agricultural purposes
* Airfield, an aerodrome that lacks the infrastructure of an airport
* Battlefield
* Lawn, an area of mowed grass
* Meadow, a gra ...
, is the use of metallurgical preparation on surfaces in the field, by polishing to a mirror image, along with application of acetate or other thin plastic films designed to nondestructively duplicate the
microstructure of a part or structure in-situ. The FMR replica is then transferred to a glass slide for examination by optical microscopy, electron microscopy, and other methods.
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