Metallurgical microscope is unique in microstructure analysis

Optical microscopy (including metallographic and polarized-light microscopy) and scanning electron microscopy each possess unique advantages for analyzing the microstructure and mineral composition of materials; currently, the former cannot be replaced by electron microscopy. This image is a photomicrograph of sintered ore, clearly showing the various phases and their interrelationships (10x).

光学显微技术（包括金相显微和偏光显微）与扫描电子显微技术在材料的显微结构和矿物组分分析方面各有其独特的优势，目前还不能被电子显微镜取代。(照片为烧结矿的金相显微照片，各物相及其相互关系直观清晰)