ByJohnWalters,HarrisonLamEngineering45,Materials.pdfVIP

By: John Walters, Harrison Lam Engineering 45, Materials Science December 9, 2013 SRJC Through questionable means we obtained several rivets believed to have originally been part of the Golden Gate Bridge between January 5, 1933-May 28, 1937 all the way till the 1970’s. /research/facts.php#Co rrodedRivets  In order to verify its authenticity we decided to examine the microstructure of the rivet in question.  Unfortunately due to the high degree of oxidation the determination of its microstructure from its surface was somewhat improbable.  Therefore we resorted to more intricate methods. Hacksaws and table clamps!  To examine the microstructure we first sawed off the end of the rivet and deburred the edges.  Then we put it into a mold, filled it with a plastic mold powder and heat treated it until the powder solidified.  Next we sanded it with 100, 320, 400, and 1000 grit sandpaper rotating it 90 degrees for every 15 passes.  Polished it with a 10 micron solution on a buffering wheel, then etched it with Ferric Chloride. Can you find the carbon? Neither could we. Dots are particulates of plastic molding, not graphite flakes. 25x magnification 100x magnification 250x magnification 525x magnification 950x magnification Can you find the carbon? Neither could we. Dots are particulates of plastic molding, not graphite flakes. 25x magnification So what is it exactly? 100x magnification 250x magnification 525x magnification