During the manufacture of bearing components@ there are many grinding processes which must be carefully controlled. These grinding processes can cause excessive localized heating of the metal being worked and result in altering the metallurgical structure of the alloy. An inspection method of etching the ground surface of these alloys with acids permits detection of those altered structures. This specification for temper etch inspection details the methods and controls for performing etching of ground surfaces for the detection@ qualification@ and control of altered metallurgical structures of various metallic alloys subjected to grinding. This specification presents two basic methods of etch@ one of alcohol base and another of water base@ in addition to use of a photographic gray scale to control bath immersion times and part etching levels. This standard parallels MIL-STD-867A (USAF)@ Military standard temper etch inspection.