For decades, the Metallography Conference has been one of the central forums for the materials science community. With its 60^th edition, it returns to the Montanuniversität Leoben, a location that stands for applied materials research like no other. The combination of scientific exchange, methodological depth, and practical insights will also characterize the upcoming conference. 

Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Ronald Schnitzer and organized by ASMET – The Austrian Society for Metallurgy and Materials – a program is being developed that covers the entire spectrum of modern materialography. The main topics will address both established and emerging approaches. These include new preparation techniques that enable precise micrographs, as well as microscopic methods that capture structural details even in complex materials. Digital image processing and quantitative microstructure analysis expand this methodological framework and create the basis for reproducible, reliable evaluations. AI methods that support pattern recognition, data evaluation, and automated classification processes are also becoming increasingly important. In addition, microstructure investigations play a major role in quality assurance and damage analysis, as they have a direct impact on industrial decision-making processes. 

The plenary lectures will provide additional technical highlights. Sabine Bodner (Montanuniversität Leoben), Dominik Britz (Saarland University), Yolita Eggeler (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), Andreas Neidel (Siemens Energy), and Andreas Undiz (Chemnitz University of Technology) will present research topics ranging from fundamental mechanisms to industrial applications. 

The deadline for submitting contributions is 13 March 2026. Feedback will be provided on 14 April 2026, and authors can register until 14 May 2026. The participation fee includes access to all presentations, the program booklet, refreshments during breaks, the mayor's reception at Gösserbräu, and the conference dinner at Live Kongress Leoben. 

The Metallography Conference 2026 convincingly combines scientific excellence and practical relevance. Leoben offers the perfect location for this: an environment with a strong research tradition and a lively community that is continuously advancing materialography.