Class 11 includes extremely hard and brittle materials such as cermets, minerals, and technical glasses. Cermets like tungsten carbide combine ceramic hardness with metallic toughness, making them ideal for cutting tools, dies, and high-wear environments. These materials require advanced preparation techniques to preserve microstructural integrity during metallographic analysis.
Significant hardness differences between phases can lead to polishing relief and uneven surfaces.
Tough particles may detach if not supported or if polishing pressure is too high.
Maintaining flat surfaces is critical for coatings, interfaces, and hardness testing.
Fracture at grain boundaries or inclusions can occur if grinding force is excessive.
Use low-speed diamond or CBN blades with abundant coolant. Minimize vibration to avoid cracking.
Castable, edge-retaining resins are preferred. Vacuum impregnation helps preserve surface planarity.
Use semi-fixed diamond abrasives on metal mesh cloths for controlled abrasion and minimal damage.
Apply diamond abrasives followed by CMP with SIAMAT™ colloidal silica for minimal relief and high surface quality.
Surface free from particle pull-out or microcracks
Flat, uniform polish across hard and soft phases
Grain boundaries and interfaces clearly resolved
No polishing relief or smearing in hard phases