Sample Preparation

SAMPLE SPECIMEN PREPARATION

Benefits:

Sample Specimen Isolation and Partitioning:

Materials samples come in all shapes and sizes.  Often, the first step in the analysis is isolating the portion of interest and preparing it appropriately through cutting using industrial tools. The following equipment is commonly utilized for specimen preparation: Struers Discotom 100 Automated Saw Cutting Machine, Struers Secotom 5 Saw Cutting Machine, drill press, and industrial bandsaws.

Cross-Section Sample Mounting Preparation (Hot Mount):

The specimens were prepared for imaging using the method, ASTM E 3-11.  The sample specimens were hot mounted using Struers Polyfast, a carbon filed resin, and the Struers CitoPress-10 using the following settings: 180°C, 250 bar for 3.5 minutes.  The measurement of the metallic coating thickness was determined using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDS) based on ASTM B 748.

Cross-Section Sample Mounting Preparation (Cold Mount): 

The specimens were prepared for imaging using the method, ASTM E 3-11.  The sample specimens were cold mounted using Struers EpoFix, a slow-curing transparent two-part epoxy thermoset with a low 40°C peak curing temperature.  The measurement of the metallic coating thickness was determined using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDS) based on ASTM B 748.

Overview of General Preparation: 

The specimens were prepared for imaging using the method, ASTM E3-11.  The measurement of the metallic coating thickness was determined using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDS) based on ASTM B 748-90.   The following equipment is commonly utilized for specimen preparation: Struers Discotom 100 Automated Saw Cutting Machine, Struers Secotom 5 Saw Cutting Machine, Struers CitoPress-10 Hot Mounting Press, Struers Tegramin-20 Specimen Polisher Machine, and Bandsaw.


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