1018 furnace cooled steel is a soft steel consisting of a pearlite and ferrite structure. The challenge in microstructural preparation of this material is the tendency for the material to smear. This smearing has a tendency to mask scratching which is more apparent following etching.

To minimize this effect of smearing, the use of tightly graded nanometer alumina with a polish-etch-polish sequence should eliminate this problem.

SECTIONING

MAXCUT Abrasive blade (Cat. No. MAX-D or MAX-E series)

MOUNTING

Compression Mounting with Phenolic, Epoxy or Diallyl Phthalate compression mounting resins

POLISHING

Abrasive/surface	Lubricant	Force/ sample	Speed (Head/base)	Time	Individual Force mode	Central Force mode
120 grit SiC paper* 240 grit SiC paper*	Water	5-10 lbs	200/200 rpm	Until plane 1 minute
360 grit SiC paper 600 grit SiC paper 800 grit SiC paper 1200 grit SiC paper	Water	5-10 lbs	200/200 rpm	1 minute 1 minute 1 minute 1 minute
1 um DIAMAT diamond on GOLDPAD polishing pad	DIALUBE Purple Extender	5-10 lbs	200/200 rpm	2 minutes
0.05 um Nanometer alumina on TRICOTE polishing pad		5-10 lbs	100/100 rpm	30 seconds

*Required for central polishing force. Click here for more information on central vs. individual polishing force polishing.

1018 Furnace cooled steel, 1000X (polarized light), etched with 2% nital. Structure is Ferrite and Pearlite

ETCHING

Common Etchants

CAUTION:Safety is very important when etching. Be sure to wear the appropriate protective clothing and observe all WARNINGS on chemical manufacuters SDS (Safety Data Sheets). Also review the COMMENTS and CONDITIONS Section for each etchant.

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