Zinc-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 zinc-aluminum alloys is to use alumina polishing abrasives to reduce fractured abrasive particle embedding and to final polish with polycrystalline abrasives (fine aggregates).
SECTIONING
MAXCUT Abrasive blade (MAX-C or MAX-I series)
MOUNTING
Compression Mounting with Phenolic, Epoxy or Diallyl Phthalate compression mounting resins
POLISHING
Abrasive/surface |
Lubricant |
Force/ sample |
Speed |
Time |
P240 grit ALO paper |
Water |
5-10 lbs |
100/100 rpm |
Until plane |
1 um DIAMAT diamond on ATLANTIS polishing pad |
DIALUBE Purple Extender |
5-10 lbs |
100/100 rpm |
2 minutes |
0.05 um Nanometer alumina on NAPPAD polishing pad |
|
5-10 lbs |
100/100 rpm |
1 minute |
 |
Zinc-Aluminum Alloy, 200X B.F. (etchant CrO3, Na2SO4) |
 |
Zinc-Aluminum Alloy, 1000X DIC (etchant CrO3, Na2SO4) |
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Zinc-Aluminum Alloy, 100X Polarized (etchant CrO3, Na2SO4) |