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CHAPT2R 3
CHEMIC AL AND ELECTROLYTIC METHODS
CHEMIC AL METHOD INTRODUCTION
Early in the 19th century, metallurgists began to seriously study the
relationship between the microscopic structure of a metal and its mechan-
ical properties. The importance of crystal grain size and the presence
of deformation lines after cold-working became recognized Techniques
for investigating the structure of metals were refined and eventually devel-
oped into the science of metallography.
The aspect of metallography of most importance for the restoration
of serial numbers is that of macroscopic examination. This is a technique
which gives an overview of the gross structural features of the specimen.
It consists essentially of:
(1) Surface preparation by grinding and polishing.
(2) Etching by chemical reagents to reveal structural charac-
teristics.
(3) Examination visually or with low-power magnification.
A broad selection of nnc roscopic etching reagents are published in the
m etallurgical literature (1- 5). Use of the proper reagent can reveal char-
acteristics such as nonmetallic inclusions, porosity, segregation, cracks,
depth of hardening, and fabricating defects. Each etchant is typically
recommended for use unly on a specific alloyo Temperature, mEthod of
application,and etching time are often prescribed.
It is not exactly certain when chemical etching techi'liques were first
applied to the restoration of serial numbers. In the 1930's two German
publications suggested the use of acid etchants for this purpose (6, 7). In
the United States in 1940 a review of applications of metallurgical methods
to criminal investigation was published by G. W. Pirk, a consulting m,~t-
allurgist for the Utica, New York Bureau of Police. Briefly mentioned in