microstructure

thumb|Metallography allows the metallurgist to study the microstructure of metals. thumb|A micrograph of bronze revealing a cast dendritic structure 200px |thumb |right |Aluminium|Al-Si microstructure

Microstructure is the very small-scale structure of a material, defined as the structure of a prepared surface of material as revealed by an optical microscope above 25× magnification. The microstructure of a material (e.g. metals, polymers, ceramics, or composites) can strongly influence physical properties such as strength, toughness, ductility, hardness, corrosion resistance, high/low temperature behaviour or wear resistance. These properties in turn govern the application of these materials in industrial practice.