Webinars & Training

Microstructure & Analysis Webinar Series

View webinars from our Microstructure & Webinar Series

Buehler Webinar Series for Soilutions for Metallography Preparation and Testing
New Webinar | Registration Now Open
Metallography of Light Metals

Wednesday, June 4, 2025 @ 12:00pm CST

This webinar will discuss the microstructures common to light metals including aluminum and magnesium alloys, common etchants, how etch selection effects what you see and how to select the right etchants for your needs.

This webinar will cover:

  • Review fundamental principles of preparation of light metals
  • Share recommended preparation routes
  • Advise on common preparation problems
  • Provide recommendations on etch selection
  • Demonstrate microstructures typical of this material group
  • Highlight common problems in processing and analysis
  • Discuss key techniques to ensure success
  • Include a live Questions and Answers session

Archived Webinars

View previous webinars from our Microstructure & Analysis Webinar Series

2025 What is Metallography Video Thumbnail
What is Metallography?
Originally Recorded on: February 26, 2025
Metallography is the branch of science dealing with the study of the constitution and structure of metals and alloys, its control through processing, and its influence on properties and behavior. It is an important tool in industrial quality control and failure analysis, as well as the development of new materials, applications and components.
  • How and why metallography is used
  • Typical applications
  • Examples of good metallographic process
  • Potential consequences of poor processes
  • An overview of metallographic principles
  • Key techniques to ensure success
  • A live Questions and Answers session
Selective Etching of Ferrous Materials Video Thumbnail
Selective Etching of Ferrous Materials
Originally Recorded on: December 4, 2024
This webinar will look at all the common and some uncommon etchants for the identification of ferrous microstructures.
  • Compare the effectiveness of different etchants at showing common microstructural features
  • Review approaches for identification and measurement of retained austenite
  • Show examples of etching for prior austenite grain boundaries
  • Show methods for identification of carbides by selective etching
Failure due to Manufacturing Problems Video Thumbnail
Failure due to Manufacturing Problems
Originally Recorded on: September 11, 2024
Buehler provides regular webinars covering topics including Microstructure, Etching, Metallographic Preparation and Hardness Testing, as well as Analysis Methods. These webinars are always free, with the capability to attend on the day or watch after the event. This webinar will discuss metallography and its application to Failure Analysis. It will cover typical features, how to view them and how to identify them – using examples and case studies from real world applications.
  • Ductile and brittle fracture surfaces and how to recognize them
  • Fatigue fracture types
  • Failure due to corrosion
  • Failures caused by microstructural changes
  • Failures due to embrittlement
  • Highlight common problems
  • Discuss key techniques to ensure success
  • Including a live Questions and Answers session
What is Metallography Thumbnail
What is Metallography?
Originally Recorded on: July 10, 2024
Metallography is the branch of science dealing with the study of the constitution and structure of metals and alloys, its control through processing, and its influence on properties and behavior. It is an important tool in industrial quality control and failure analysis, as well as the development of new materials, applications and components.
  • How and why metallography is used
  • Typical applications
  • Examples of good metallographic process
  • Potential consequences of poor processes
  • An overview of metallographic principles
  • Key techniques to ensure success
  • A live Questions and Answers session
Microstructures of Hot and Cold Worked Metals and Alloys Video Thumbnail
Microstructures of Hot and Cold Worked Metals and Alloys
Originally Recorded on: May 8, 2024
We have presented a wide variety of webinars looking at the microstructure of metals that have typically included both as cast and heat-treated microstructures. However, the process of deformation – or "working" the material - can greatly change the microstructure and is itself very important. This is especially true in manufacturing processes that do not include a heat treatment step after working. The effects of both cold-work and hot-work on the microstructure of a variety of different metals and alloys will be discussed.
  • Definitions of hot and cold working
  • Changes in microstructure
  • Effect of various processing conditions
  • Preparation and etching details
  • Examples of typical processes and their effects
Non Ferrous Aerospace Alloys Video Thumbnail
Non-ferrous Aerospace Alloys
Originally Recorded on: March 6, 2024
Aerospace materials have typically been developed to maximize performance with minimal mass and maximum reliability.

The broad range of properties and unique characteristics of different materials can cause difficulties during preparation and analysis.

This webinar will review typical preparation methods, common problems, etching and microstructure for the most common non-ferrous Aerospace alloys, including titanium, aluminum and nickel alloys.
  • Examples of good metallography
  • Highlight common problems preparation and analysis
  • Potential consequences of poor preparation
  • Best practice recommendations and recipes
  • Vibratory polishing and color etching
  • Demonstrate microstructures and how to best reveal them by etching
  • Discuss key techniques to ensure success
SumMet Training Courses

View dates and register for upcoming SumMet Training Courses

Class Start Day End Day Location Sign Up
SumMet Fundamentals June 24 2025 June 26 2025 Neuss, Germany
SumMet Fundamentals July 01 2025 July 03 2025 University of Warwick - WMG, United Kingdom
SumMet Fundamentals July 22 2025 July 24 2025 Lake Bluff, Illinois, United States
SumMet Fundamentals September 09 2025 September 11 2025 Neuss, Germany
SumMet Fundamentals September 23 2025 September 25 2025 Leinfelden, Germany
SumMet Fundamentals October 28 2025 October 30 2025 Lake Bluff, Illinois, United States
SumMet Fundamentals November 11 2025 November 13 2025 University of Warwick - WMG, United Kingdom
Dr. Mike Keeble

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