Precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum can be difficult to prepare because they are very soft and distortion to the microstucture can easily occur. If not removed this distorted layer covers the true microstructure. For precious metals, alternating between polishing and etching is often required in order to remove the damaged microstructure.
SECTIONING
MAXCUT Abrasive blade (Cat. No. MAX-D series)
MOUNTING
Compression Mounting fine EPOCOMP Epoxy compression mounting resins
POLISHING
Abrasive/surface |
Lubricant |
Force/ sample |
Time |
320 grit SiC paper |
Water |
5 lbs |
Until plane |
3 um DIAMAT diamond on GOLDPAD polishing pad |
DIALUBE Purple Extender |
5 lbs |
2 minutes |
1 um DIAMAT diamond on ATLANTIS polishing pad |
DIALUBE Purple Extender |
5 lbs |
2 minutes |
| 0.05 um NANOMETER Alumina on MICROPAD/ MICROPAD 2 polishing pad | 5 lbs | 30-45 seconds |