Ferrite & Phase Count
A phase count is an optical measurement of the proportion of a particular phase within the microstructure of a metal sample. Most commonly this is undertaken as a ferrite count, to establish the proportion of ferrite to austenite in the mixed microstructure of a duplex or super duplex stainless steel. The supplier specifications can be relatively open – typically ferrite count between 35-65% – whilst the optimum balance is closer to 50:50.
Customer specifications requesting additional micrographic analysis are rarer than for mechanical properties, but we are able to manage an effective sampling and testing process as required.
