Optical Microscopy (OM) Analysis equipment image for TESTDOG microscopy and imaging support

Material Testing · Microscopy & Imaging

Optical Microscopy (OM) Analysis

Instrument model
Nikon FN1
optical, metallographic, stereo, polarised-light, hot-stage, and 3D optical microscope?
Typical turnaround
3-7 working days
Common outputs
Optical micrographsmetallographic / polarised-light imagesscale-bar annotated images and basic feature observations
Price from
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Overview & applications

When to use OM in an engineering investigation

OM helps engineering and research teams investigate visible morphology, texture, defects, and cross-section features, metallographic grain structure after suitable preparation and etching, surface condition before higher-resolution analysis with a lab-ready scope. TESTDOG can help translate an unclear request into the right imaging route, sample preparation notes and reporting requirements.

Use this page as a starting point for deciding whether OM is suitable before requesting a quotation.

What this test can help you understand

Visible morphology, texture, defects, and

Assess visible morphology, texture, defects, and cross-section features as part of a lab-ready investigation scope.

Metallographic grain structure after suitable

Assess metallographic grain structure after suitable preparation and etching as part of a lab-ready investigation scope.

Surface condition before higher-resolution analysis

Assess surface condition before higher-resolution analysis as part of a lab-ready investigation scope.

Samples & requirements

Suitable samples and what to prepare

Typical sample types

  • Polished metallographic samples
  • Films, coatings, components, fibres, polymers, and composites
  • Prepared cross-sections or mounted samples

Submission requirements

  • Material samples usually have flexible size requirements, but surfaces must be clean, accessible, and safely handleable
  • Metallographic work may require cutting, mounting, grinding, polishing, and etching before imaging
  • Mark the observation face, region of interest, and required magnification or lighting mode
  • Biological samples may require 2.5% glutaraldehyde fixation and small tissue pieces around 1-2 mm where biological microscopy preparation is involved

Available options and related modes

OM routes we can help coordinate

Optical microscopy

Optical microscopy can be scoped where the sample, objective and partner capability are suitable.

Metallographic microscopy

Metallographic microscopy can be scoped where the sample, objective and partner capability are suitable.

Polarised microscopy

Polarised microscopy can be scoped where the sample, objective and partner capability are suitable.

Stereo microscopy

Stereo microscopy can be scoped where the sample, objective and partner capability are suitable.

Hot-stage microscopy

Hot-stage microscopy can be scoped where the sample, objective and partner capability are suitable.

3D optical profilometry

3D optical profilometry can be scoped where the sample, objective and partner capability are suitable.

Deliverables

What you can expect back

01Annotated optical images

Annotated optical images.

02Metallographic observations where requested

Metallographic observations where requested.

03Basic feature or defect summary

Basic feature or defect summary.

Final deliverables depend on sample condition, selected mode, instrument access and the agreed reporting scope.