General – All entries must meet these requirements:

1. All entries become the joint property of the IMS and ASM International and cannot be returned.
a. Images must not have been previously published. This includes both print and electronic forms, which include prior or current official company products (e.g., literature, websites, displays, etc), individual products (e.g., publications, displays, social media posts), and/or submissions to other metallographic and artistic competitions.
2. The IMC Chair and/or the judges’ panel reserves the right to exclude entries from the IMC, if considered to be of poor quality or unsuitable subject matter.
3. No more than four entries total per individual (or team) will be accepted, with a limit of 2 entries between Classes 1, 2, or 3. This total can be split between multiple classes (i.e. 1 entry in Class 1, 1 entry in Class 2, 2 entries in Class 5).
4. Images used in entries for Classes 1, 2, or 3 may not be resubmitted in Classes 4 or 5 or utilized in Class 6.
5. All printed or electronic entries that contain digitally captured images must be submitted with a signed copy of the image disclaimer. Printed entries must have this statement affixed to the back of the entry. Electronic entries will be prompted on the online submission form to type name to agree to the image disclaimer.
6. The submitter’s name, company/university affiliation, postal address, phone number, and email address must be placed on the printed entry back prior to judging. This will be done by the IMC chair, and the online submission form will prompt for this information.
a. This information must not appear on the front of the submission, or within micrographs, and/or images (e.g., company logo from scanning electron images) prior to judging.
b. Identifying information found on the front of the submission will be covered during judging and uncovered after judging.
c. The IMC Chair will affix a name and address label on the face of the entry after judging to allow viewers to identify the submitter.
7. Entries must provide the following information in electronic (prompted in online submission form) and/or printed form:
a. Entry Class (Class 1-5);
b. Material(s) or alloy;
c. Etchant (if any);
d. Magnification; and
e. Explanation and any unusual technical or structural features.

This caption information may be included on the face of the printed entry or be added following judging by the IMC Chair. This information can be submitted in any language, but an English translation must be included.

8. Entry Submission – Entries can be submitted in electronic and/or printed format. If submitting in a printed format, an electronic format is requested to allow for combination virtual judging.
a. Electronic Entries – Must be submitted to online submission form located at https://www.asminternational.org/ims/membership/imc/ (or IMC Contest for direct link to form) by August 28, 2026.
i. The maximum file size accepted for Classes 1 to 5 is 10 MB using the highest quality images regarding bit depth, file size, and resolution.
ii. The file format must be in a JPEG (jpeg, jpg, jpe, jfif)), GIF (gif), TIFF (tif, tiff), BMP (bmp, dib), or PNG (png) format.
iii. The online form will prompt for author name, address, email address, company affiliation, phone number, and poster/image details.
b. Printed Entries – Please also submit an electronic version of entry. Please contact Ellen Rabenberg at [email protected] for more information on submitting printed entries. Printed entries must be received by August 28, 2026.

Class 1, 2, and 3 Specific Requirements:
9. Entries – No more than two entries per team are allowed in Classes 1-3. Multiple posters for one entry are not acceptable.
10. Technical Content – Detailed preparation/examination information of the metallographic/microscopy techniques used must be included.
11. Poster Size – The maximum/minimum acceptable dimensions are 36 inch x 24 inch (90 cm x 60 cm) ±10% and 10 inch x 8 inch (25 cm x 20 cm) ±10%, respectively
12. Labeling Space – A blank space 2 inch x 4 inch (5.1 cm x 10.2 cm) must be placed on the poster front, lower left corner to accommodate submitter information affixed after judging is completed.
a. Identifying information should not be placed on the front of the submission. If any identifying information is put on the front of the submission, this information will be covered during judging. Submitter information will be affixed after judging is completed.
13. Mounting – Printed entries should be mounted on a lightweight backing no thicker than 0.25 inch (0.6 cm) or laminated, and should not be framed.

Class 4 and 5 Specific Requirements:
14. Entries – One metallography/microscopy image is permitted per entry.
a. Supplemental information (e.g., magnification, micron markers, title) not directly on the submitted image will not be considered as part of the judging. Conversely, any information added to the image (e.g., markings, text, etc) will be considered part of the image aesthetic and open for judging. However, the micrograph size requirements apply to the submitted entry and not just the image.
15. Identifying information (such as company logo from scanning electron images) should not be on the face of the submission. If identifying information is put on the front of the submission, this information will be covered during judging.
16. Micrograph Size – The maximum/minimum acceptable dimensions are 18 inch x 18 inch (46 cm x 46 cm) ±10% and 11 inch x 8.5 inch (22 cm x 28 cm) ±10%, respectively.
17. Mounting – Printed entries should be mounted on a lightweight backing no thicker than 0.25 inch (0.6 cm) or laminated, and should not be framed.

For further information, email: [email protected]