Thixomet Pro

Thixomet Pro

The name of Thixomet is taken because of Greek “thixis” (touch) and “metrisi” (measurement), that idea is “One Touch

Measurement”. Measurement operation from capturing the image up to generation of quantitative description of the
structure report is actually performed with several evident actions that prove the name of the product.
Thixomet has succeeded in international interlaboratory Round Robin Test and performed with the best results across
worldwide Image Analysis systems. That was the cause to get an official metrological certificate from Russian State
Metrological committee ? 2610-11-30/2004 from 02.03.2004 which certified Thixomet as a measurement tool.

Grain Size estimation
GOST 5639-82, GOST 21073-75, ASTM E1382, ASTM E112, DIN 50 601
This module implements automatic grain’s boundaries recognition. Average grain size is calculated using grains quantity and area they occupy. There are special tools that make possible: Reconstruction of poorly etched grain’s boundaries;
Exclusion of excessively small objects from analysis which are identified as grains or occupy too small area;

Grain size number measurement using “skeleton” procedure; Shading correction is provided to prevent wrong boundaries
recognition which is caused by over-etching or the excessive second phase precipitation inside the grain body.
The result of automatic analysis can be compared with the grain size number scale. The panoramic image or single field of
view that is being analyzed get grain size number corresponding to the semitransparent chart laid on. The standard chart
automatically fits panoramic image during its zooming.

 

 

Steel Cleanness Estimation for non metallic inclusions

ASTM E1245
Using fundamental stereological correlations primary parameters of second phase or nonmetallic inclusions
are defined: volume fraction, size and the pattern of mutual distribution.

GOST 1778-70
“K” and “P” methods are based on inclusions calculation in the corresponding dimensional groups,
inclusion identification itself is performed automatically. “SHA” method implementation fills results table using comparison
of estimated inclusions with the semitransparent charts. Automatic “SHA” method implementation performs classification
of oxides into “nondeformable silicates”, “globular oxides” and all types of stringers (brittle silicates, oxides stringers and
deformable silicates) after oxides and sulfides are descriminated by grayscale level. Rating of nonmetallic inclusions is carried out on the measured volume fraction for each inclusion type based on calibration plot “rating via volume fraction”.

 

ASTM Å 45-05.
Two image analysis utilizing methods are implemented for the current standard:
“A” method is based on worst field estimation.
“D” method is based on the average estimation of all fields of view measured.
Nonmetallic inclusion classification is done according A, B, C and D types which are defined by JK chart, the implementation is strict to the algorithm that is described in the standard. However these inclusion types do not describe all possible inclusions that could present in modern steel, that’s why we provide additional algorithms for detailed inclusions classification which is based on recent edition of ASTM standard described morphology and composition. According to the standard area of 160 mm2 under 200x – 500x magnification should be estimated. So panoramic image creation dramatically improves operator productivity and analysis results reliability even when the search of worst field of view is performed.

 

 

Standard Practice for assessing the Degree of Microstructure Banding

VNIIST method

This method is used for assessing the degree of microstructures banding according to the classification
which is in much the same way as the one from GOST 5640-68. The method is build up on the idea of second phase bands quantity increase taking into account their continuity and ferrite grains elongation degree. Assessing the degree of microstructure banding is based on stereological parameters which are defined on panoramic image by test lines method using automatic image analysis. High resolution of panoramic image provides the ability to perform correct estimation of small ferrite grains, large area of panoramic image is essential to give adequate assessment of banded microstructure. For precious settings of the method the algorithm of grain boundary reconstruction is used. In some cases grain boundaries need reconstruction because of poor etching. The direction of deformation is an additional setting.

ASTME 1268-01
By the method of test lines using automatic image analysis system we can define: anisotropy index, degree of orientation of partially oriented linear structure elements, volume fraction of the banded phase and mean edgeto- edge spacing of the bands.

 

Identification of Cast Iron Structure

ISO 945
This module implements functionality for graphite inclusions shape and size estimation and distribution
type determination for flake graphite. There are tools to perform the relationship between various flake graphite types.
All types of flake and granular graphite got their size defined automatically.Touching inclusions can be separated, the ones
with the small size could be excluded from analysis.

 

AutoVaz Method
This method stands for simplified version of ISO 945 to be used for cast iron structure estimation.

 

Graphite nodularity in cast iron(new ASTM standard draft)
This module implements automatic methods for quantitative estimation of graphite nodularity in cast iron. It
is estimated by the fraction of inclusions which have shape factor or compactness factor more than 0.6.

Panoramic image creation gives ability for significant marginal inclusions specific quantity reduction and improves the reproducibility of measurements.

GOST 3443-87

Module is used for gray, nodular, compacted and malleable cast irons structure analysis. Shape, size, type of distribution and ferrite-pearlite ratio are determined.

 

Other Thixomet Pro Modules

The estimation of metallurgical quality of nickel based super-alloys.

This module provides the automated implementation of Willian Metals Ltd method. Method has the following requirements: specimen area is supposed to be 20mm2 viewed under 200x magnification. Metallurgical quality estimation is based on rating number which is calculated considering quantity and size of oxide films, nitride clusters and slag globules found at the specimen. Porosity is also detected, it is performed on the critical cross-section of the casting. In order to make correct defect identification and adequate size estimation such additional settings as oxide films defragmentation, nitride clusters and slag globules clusterization are used. If defect cannot be captured by single field of view, panoramic image creation can be used. The published in report measurement information can be used for incoming production quality control for rod charge in turbine
blades manufacturing.

 

Automatic microhardness measurement

This module implements automatic microhardness measurements using Vikkers and Knoop methods. The recognition of indents is done automatically, it can also be performed manually. Indents can be assigned to groups, graph that illustrates microhardness change along indents group against the background of microstructure panorama image can be created.

Method of quality estimation for two-phase titanium
alloys.

This module has been generally implemented for titanium two-phase alloys estimation, but can also be used for
other alloys, for example, eutectic ones. This module also gives ability to separate primary α-phase from dispersive α-β matrix
with primary α-phase metric parameters estimation. Precise method tuning is possible using the following settings: degree
of dispersion of α-β mixture and the range of primary α-phase separation.

These settings make identification of two-phase structures with any morphology and dispersion possible.

 

The definition of pearlite colonies size.

This module provides functionality for pearlite colonies size estimation, it also can be used to define the pearlite-ferrite ratio in steel structure. The outlining of the boundaries by brightness gradient and morphology based reconstruction method are used to identify pearlite colonies. Report comes as a result of the measurement operation, it contains ferrite-pearlite ratio, number for pearlite colonies size is assigned similar to ferrite grain size estimation according GOST 5639.

The definition of sorbite-looking pearlite to lamellar pearlite percentage proportion.

This module implements texture analysis based algorithm for ratio definition of sorbitelooking
pearlite to lamellar pearlite in the steel structure. There are settings that make analysis of pearlite with various
dispersion possible.

GOST 1763-68 The methods of decarbonized layer measurement.
The methods of decarburized layer measurement. The determination of decarburization depth in
cumulative procedure is implemented to be performed using sequential field processing or panoramic image creation in
automatic or manual mode. In automatic mode specimen edge recognition and zone of decarburization are performed. The
tools of fine adjustments can be used to set the required ferritepearlite ratio which is used to determine the decarburization
boundary. The smoothing of the decarburization boundary is adjustable. Average values and measurement statistics are
calculated. Case depth in samples subjected to carburizing, nitriding, cyaniding, and flame or induction hardening treatments
can be measured in much the same way as decarburization. Multilayer structures can be also measured.

 


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