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Nickel-Zinc Ferrite
Specimen Preparation (Class 4 Procedures)
Metallographic Class 4 sample preparation  

Ferrite ceramics produce one of the strongest types of magnetics, and consist of iron, boron and barium, or strontium and molybdenum. A ferrite material is a ceramic magnet which has high magnetic permeability, which allows it to store stronger magnetic fields than iron.

Specimen preparation of friable or brittle materials such as ferrites can be difficult. Proper microstructural preparation of these materials must maintain the structure of the Ni-Fe ferrite structure. This is accomplished by mounting the ferrite in a castable mounting compound such as epoxy. Initial grinding with a 320 grit or finer SiC paper is required to prevent pulling out the ferrite particles, especially the smaller particles. Rough polishing is accomplished on woven polishing cloths using diamond, with final polishing on high napped cloth using a polycrystalline alumina abrasive.

SECTIONING
Diamond wafer cutting with medium grit / low concentration diamond blades

MOUNTING
Castable mounting acrylics or epoxies

POLISHING
Abrasive/surface Lubricant Force/ sample Speed
(Head/base)
Time Individual
Force mode
Central Force
mode
240 grit SiC paper* Water
5-10 lbs 200/200 rpm Planar
  Metallographic central polishing force
360 grit SiC paper
600 grit SiC paper
800 grit SiC paper
1200 grit SiC paper
Water
5-10 lbs 200/200 rpm 1 min
1 min
1 min
1 min
Metallographic individual polishing force Metallographic central polishing force
1 um DIAMAT diamond
on ATLANTIS polishing pad
SIAMAT
Colloidal Silica
10 lbs 200/200 rpm 5 min Metallographic individual polishing force Metallographic central polishing force
0.05 um Nanometer alumina
on NAPPAD polishing pad
  5-10 lbs 100/100 rpm 1 min Metallographic individual polishing force Metallographic central polishing force

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

Metallographic micrograph of Ni-Zin ferrite
Ni-Zn ferrite, 400X (B.F.), as polished condition

ETCHING

Common Etchants
PACE Technologies Recommended Etchants

PACE Technologies Etchant Database

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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