Abstract: A system includes a processor and memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor configure the processor to receive an image of a metallographic sample of a product from a microscope, the image including dendritic structures in the metallographic sample; select a portion of the image; and perform morphological operations on the selected portion of the image to transform the image. The instructions configure the processor to overlay a plurality of concentric circles on the transformed image, measure circumferences of the circles, and count the number of intercepts of the circles and boundaries of the dendritic structures in the transformed image. The instructions configure the processor to determine parameters of the dendritic structures based on the measured circumferences and the number of intercepts. The instructions configure the processor to determine structural properties of the product based on the parameters of the dendritic structures.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor configure the processor to receive an image of a metallographic sample of a product from a microscope, the image including dendritic structures in the metallographic sample; select a portion of the image; and perform morphological operations on the selected portion of the image to transform the image. The instructions configure the processor to overlay a plurality of concentric circles on the transformed image, measure circumferences of the circles, and count the number of intercepts of the circles and boundaries of the dendritic structures in the transformed image. The instructions configure the processor to determine parameters of the dendritic structures based on the measured circumferences and the number of intercepts. The instructions configure the processor to determine structural properties of the product based on the parameters of the dendritic structures.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy article having improved surface contrast and an associated method are provided. The method includes grinding a surface of the article, diamond polishing the surface of the article, and removing ?-aluminum matrix material from the surface by fine polishing the surface with a suspension containing colloidal silica and a caustic substance, wherein the caustic substance has a higher pH value than the pH value of colloidal silica.