The ultimate goal of metallographic sample preparation is to prepare a flat mirror surface for observation after corrosion or direct observation. The importance of grinding and polishing is obvious. Polishing is the last step in the sample preparation stage, and it is also the most important and critical step.

Polishing requires the use of a polishing disc and a polishing liquid. The advantage of polishing liquid is that it can control the amount of addition and can be better distributed on the surface of the polishing disc.

The most commonly used polishing liquid is diamond suspension, which is composed of diamond abrasives and a liquid suspension system.

Since the polishing disc surface itself does not have the grinding ability, the abrasives are all provided by the suspension. Then the particle size control of the abrasives in the suspension directly determines the control of scratches after polishing. High-quality diamond suspensions must be guaranteed by high-quality diamonds. For polycrystalline diamond suspensions, the irregularity of the particles is very important. The more cutting edges, the faster the grinding speed, and the better the polishing effect; in addition, the diamonds must be subjected to very strict particle size classification to prevent cross contamination of scratches.

The basic function of the suspension system is to ensure that the diamond particles are evenly suspended and do not settle, so that the amount of diamond abrasive particles contained in each drop of the suspension is equal, so that accurate liquid addition can be achieved. In addition, the suspension liquid must ensure that the diamonds are evenly dispersed, without agglomeration and forming false secondary particles. With the advancement of technology, the suspension system has integrated cooling and lubrication functions, making the polishing process smoother and more controllable.

Obviously, the quality of diamond suspension is crucial to the grinding and polishing process. For different sample materials, the types of abrasive particles in the suspension, the characteristics of the suspension system, and the types of polishing discs are all different. The main task of the metallographic technician is to find the most optimized combination, solidify it, and share it with others. This process is destined to be repeated and trial and error, and it is inevitable to take a lot of detours. The most labor-saving way is to outsource this work to a professional company. Domestic professional companies such as Shanghai Truer have more than ten years of experience in commissioned sample preparation, accumulated a lot of sample preparation information, and established a special database, which can quickly obtain the best sample preparation plan.

All microscopic analyses are the accumulation and crystallization of countless details, and so is metallographic analysis. Even the most insignificant errors may create obstacles for subsequent observations. Industry practitioners must be in awe and pursue perfection.

Shanghai Truer Company has been deeply involved in the metallographic testing industry for decades and has long practiced the concept of exquisite metallography. It is a leading metallographic solution provider in China. Truer takes international giants as benchmarks, faces difficulties, concentrates on research, overcomes key equipment and consumables that restrict the development of the industry, and creates a complete metallographic industry chain that integrates equipment, consumables and sample preparation training; the company is equipped with a cutting-edge metallographic laboratory and has a team of highly qualified experts. For more than ten years, it has provided metallographic analysis and sample preparation training services to thousands of customers, and provides customized metallographic laboratory solutions.

If you have any metallographic questions, you can get in touch with them to get the information you want.