SAMPLE PREPARATION LAB
Intrumentation
MCL maintains a complete sample preparation lab for mechanical cutting and polishing. The following instrumentation is located in 126A MRL Building unless otherwise noted:
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Logitech PMS Automatic Polisher
- Electrochemical Polishing Equipment
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Polishing Wheels (Buehler Ecomet 5, Leco VP160, Vari/Pol VP-150, UniPol)
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Basic-Dice ll Diamond Saw
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Sonic Mill Series HD
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Struers Accutom-50 Diamond Saw
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Combi-Cutter (Large Diamond Saw- 8” blade)
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Smaller Slow Speed Buehler Isomets, Ameritool Inc. Table Top and Gryphon Band Diamond Saws
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Boyar-Shultz Challenger Hydraulic 6-18 Diamond Surface Grinder and Saw (112 MRL Machine Shop)
- Other Tools (microscope, heaters, ultrasonic cleaner, hand files, and measuring tools)
- Basic Prep/Polish Supplies (sandpaper, Diamond slurries and paste, powders, etc.)
Click here for more details about the above instrumentation and tools. A separate TEM Prep Lab is available in the MRI Building for TEM sample preparation.
Technique Description
For various analytical techniques, samples need to be cut, shaped, polished, hole-punched, and/or prepared to allow for testing.
Sample Requirements/Specifications
Sample requirements vary widely with instrument/tool, material type, and for the speciific testing required. Please consult the technical staff for sample requirements/specifications for your project.
Rates
Click here to view current pricing rates
User Policies, Procedures, and Training
- Some prep lab instruments are available for after-hours use; request key from technical staff in advance.
- Lab users are expected to follow MRL safety rules in the lab and be courteous of other users.
- New users need to have a Portal account and should inquire about training requirements for specific instrumentation/tools with the technical staff before proceeding to use it.