Alcoholic picric acid, also known as picral and with a concentration of about 8%, is used in metallography for the examination of pure iron, carbon steels, low-alloy steels and gray cast iron. It is used for microstructure development and is a gentle etchant for these materials. The use of alcoholic picric acid enables a targeted analysis of microstructures and provides important information on the mechanical properties and behavior of the materials under stress.