A metallograph has been constructed so as to permit the microstructural examination of the surface of metallurgical specimens during deformation and fracture at elevated temperature in a controlled environment. Auxiliary instrumentation provides for the recording of specimen elongation, load, load transients, and temperature on a time base. The rate of specimen elongation may be controlled independently of the load. Microstrain can be measured from the relative displacement of surface markings at the same time as the microstructural appearance is observed and photographed. Cine photography can be employed to record deformation or fracture sequences. In all circumstances a careful correlation is maintained between all the measured parameters.