Selection Guide for Metallographic Microscopes
When selecting a metallographic microscope, you shall first consider its intended application. For example, whether you only need to observe the sample surface, or take photos, whether brightfield and darkfield functions are required, and whether elemental analysis will be performed. Besides, you also need to take your company's budget into account. Purchasing the microscope with the best cost-performance within a limited budget is the most practical choice.
Imported metallographic microscopes have slightly better quality and performance compared with domestic ones, yet their prices are much higher. Your decision mainly depends on your budget. If your budget is limited, domestic metallographic microscopes are also a viable option. The performance and quality of domestic microscopes have improved greatly nowadays and can be used reliably.
The following grades classified by performance and brand are available for selection: ① Imported Metallographic Microscopes Features: Equipped with an infinite optical system, they support observation modes including brightfield, darkfield, transmission, reflection and DIC. They feature high lens resolution and long service life, but come with a high price tag.
② Domestic Upright Metallographic Microscopes This type is suitable for users observing ordinary opaque samples with magnification requirements between 100× and 1000×. It only supports brightfield observation and has relatively low lens resolution, but delivers excellent cost performance.
③ Domestic Inverted Metallographic Microscopes They share most features with domestic upright models. However, their objective lenses are installed at the bottom and they have a large stage with no strict working distance restrictions. They are ideal for customers with a limited budget who need to inspect large samples.
