<P> Microstructure is the very small scale structure of a material , defined as the structure of a prepared surface of material as revealed by a microscope above 25 × magnification . The microstructure of a material ( such as metals , polymers , ceramics or composites ) can strongly influence physical properties such as strength , toughness , ductility , hardness , corrosion resistance , high / low temperature behavior or wear resistance . These properties in turn govern the application of these materials in industrial practice . Microstructure at scales smaller than can be viewed with optical microscopes is often called nanostructure , while the structure in which individual atoms are arranged is known as crystal structure . The nanostructure of biological specimens is referred to as ultrastructure . A microstructure 's influence on the mechanical and physical properties of a material is primarily governed by the different defects present or absent of the structure . These defects can take many forms but the primary ones are the pores . Even if those pores play a very important role in the definition of the characteristics of a material , so does its composition . In fact , for many materials , different phases can exist at the same time . These phases have different properties and if managed correctly , can prevent the fracture of the material . </P>
<P> Microstructure is the very small scale structure of a material , defined as the structure of a prepared surface of material as revealed by a microscope above 25 × magnification . The microstructure of a material ( such as metals , polymers , ceramics or composites ) can strongly influence physical properties such as strength , toughness , ductility , hardness , corrosion resistance , high / low temperature behavior or wear resistance . These properties in turn govern the application of these materials in industrial practice . Microstructure at scales smaller than can be viewed with optical microscopes is often called nanostructure , while the structure in which individual atoms are arranged is known as crystal structure . The nanostructure of biological specimens is referred to as ultrastructure . A microstructure 's influence on the mechanical and physical properties of a material is primarily governed by the different defects present or absent of the structure . These defects can take many forms but the primary ones are the pores . Even if those pores play a very important role in the definition of the characteristics of a material , so does its composition . In fact , for many materials , different phases can exist at the same time . These phases have different properties and if managed correctly , can prevent the fracture of the material . </P>
the crystal structure of metal is generally examined by
the crystal structure of metal is generally examined by
optical microscopes
optical microscopes