Inclusion ratings done either manually using Test Methods E 45 or automatically using Practice E 1122 or E 1245 are influenced by the quality of specimen preparation. This guide provides examples of proven specimen preparation methods that retain inclusions in polished steel specimens.

This guide provides a procedure to determine if the prepared specimens are of suitable quality for subsequent rating of inclusions. None of these methods should be construed as defining or establishing specific procedures or limits of acceptability for any steel grade.

1.1 This guide² covers two preparation methods for steel metallographic specimens that will be analyzed for nonmetallic inclusions with automatic image analysis (AIA) equipment. The two methods of preparation are offered as accepted methods used to retain nonmetallic inclusions in steel. This guide does not limit the user to these methods.

1.2 A procedure to test the suitability of the prepared specimen for AIA inclusion work, using differential interference contrast (DIC), is presented.