Three-dimensional reconstruction of compacted graphite in vermicular cast iron by manual serial sectioning

Microstructural characterization is an important tool to optimize the properties of engineering materials. Metallography is a common technique, but it provides two-dimensional images from (sometimes complex) three-dimensional microstructures. Three-dimensional reconstruction of microstructures provides more precise informa tion on the morphologies of the material microconstituents, providing more accurate control over their physical and mechanical properties. The main barrier for the dis semination of this technique is the extensive time dispended to obtain a record of in numerous metallographic polished planes and the 3D image reconstruction procedure. The present work shows a practical example of three-dimensional reconstruction of the graphite phase in a compacted graphite cast iron executed by "manual" technique and using optical microscopy.