Aluminum and aluminum alloys are difficult to prepare because they are soft and contain oxide particles which can become dislodged and scratch the surface. The key to polishing aluminum is to use very fine polishing abrasives (fine aggregates).
SECTIONING
MAXCUT Abrasive blade (Cat. No. MAX-C or MAX-I series)
MOUNTING
Compression Mounting with Phenolic, Epoxy or Diallyl Phthalate compression mounting resins
POLISHING
Abrasive/surface |
Lubricant |
Force/ sample |
Time |
320 grit SiC paper |
Water |
5 lbs |
Until plane |
1 um DIAMAT diamond on ATLANTIS polishing pad |
DIALUBE Purple Extender |
5 lbs |
2 minutes |
0.05 um Nanometer alumina on NAPPAD polishing pad |
|
5 lbs |
30 seconds |
 |
Aluminum-Silicon Alloy, Polarized 400x |
 |
Aluminum-Silicon Alloy, B.F. 200X |