EQUIPMENT
For years, specialized equipment for electron microscopy have been developed to perform tasks such as Tripod Polishing, Dimpling, ElectroPolishing and Ion Milling. While these tools are necessary, they do not meet all of the sample preparation needs of the electron microscopist. Prior to using any of these tools, it is necessary to cut a sample down to a manageable size and precisely grind and polish it to a suitable thickness. the Initial sectioning and pre-thinning requirements have typically been handled using standard metallographic equipment. For many applications, these work fine. However, as sample preparation requirements have become more demanding, a need has developed for tools that are designed with the microscopist in mind.

For these more demanding customers, we are now able to offer a line of products that have been developed to meet the needs of the electron microscopist - no matter how demanding the requirements. The beauty of these products is that we are able to offer these tools at prices near what you are used to paying for basic metallographic equipment. If you have a typical metallographic application where you are grinding and polishing encapsulated samples of fasteners, connectors, measuring case hardness depth etc., then you can save a few dollars buying standard metallographic equipment. If you are preparing IC cross sections of sub-micron level devices, polishing multi-layer materials of different hardness or working with a one-of-a-kind sample, you will want to spend the few extra dollars to get the tools developed specifically with you in mind.

CONSUMABLES
Of course, with every preparation method you must consider the consumable supplies as well as the equipment. Many end users believe that all consumable supplies are alike and that the only differentiating factor is price. As with any product, there are different levels of quality and performance. If you are trying to make a rock smooth and shiny, then lapidary grade supplies are suitable where particle size distributions, particle shapes and carrier materials are less critical. If you are polishing metallographic cross-sections to make them flat and minimize scratches, then metallographic grade supplies are appropriate. If you are working on critical samples where you need to eliminate scratches, maintain flatness and minimize sub-surface damage, then Microscopy Grade supplies are what you want.

Yes, you may pay slightly more as you upgrade from metallographic grade supplies to microscopy grade supplies, but the difference may be less than what you think. In fact, in many cases, you may find that Microscopy Grade supplies are priced at the same or in some cases even lower prices than metallographic supplies.

Whether you are a metallographer or an electron microscopist you will benefit from microscopy grade supplies. Try them - you'll see the difference!

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