Compression Mounting Powders Information
Refer to the original PDF for tables, figures and page layout.
Page 1\n \n \nProduct Guide \nwww.alliedhightech.com \nAllied High Tech Products, Inc. \nCall for more information: 800.675.1118 \nHot/Compression Mounting Powders \nDate: 10/2020, v1.1 \nRefer to the SDS documents for additional safety information. \nHot mounting, or compression mounting, uses pressure and heat to encapsulate a sample for \ngrinding/polishing. It is an economical mounting method for samples that can withstand the pressure and \nheat used. Hot mounting protects the sample edges, makes small/irregular samples easier to handle, \nmakes manual/semiautomatic polishing easier and facilitates etching after sample polishing. \n \nThere are a variety of hot mounting powders available for a range of applications listed below along with \nthe durometer hardness (Shore D) of each cured mount: \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nPart Numbers \nPhenolic: 135-100XX \nBlue Diallyl Phthalate: 160-100XX \nBlack Glass-Filled Epoxy: 150-101XX \nTransparent Thermoplastic: 165-100XX \nGraphite: 155-200XX \nCopper: 155-10010 \nA wood-based bakelite mounting \npowder used for routine applications, \nwhen color-coding for material \nidentification, or as backfill for more \nexpensive mounting powders. \n \nShore D \n85-90 \nPhenolic \nA mounting powder, \noffered as either glass- or \nmineral-filled, that provides \nexcellent edge retention \nand chemical resistance. \nShore D \n90-95 \nBlue Diallyl Phthalate \nA hard mounting material with glass \nfiber filler that provides excellent \nspecimen adhesion and edge \nretention. Use of mold release is \nrecommended. \n \nShore D \n80-90 \nBlack Glass-Filled Epoxy \nA powder used for routine \napplications and offers a \nclear mount for easy \nsample observation without \nyellowing over time. \nShore D \n70-85 \nTransparent Thermoplastic \nThese conductive mounting powders \nare used for SEM, EBSD and \nelectrolytic polishing applications. \nCopper-based should be used for \nsamples where copper is not a primary \nconstituent, and graphite-based is \nrecommended for samples without \ncarbon as a component. \n \nShore D \n85-90 \nGraphite \nCopper \nShore D \n85-90 \n\n\nPage 2\nwww.alliedhightech.com \nAllied High Tech Products, Inc. \nCall for more information: 800.675.1118 \n \n2 of 2 \nInstructions \n1. Place samples in an ultrasonic cleaner with a diluted GP \ncleaning solution and clean for 5 minutes. Then, rinse the \nsamples with ethyl alcohol and dry them with compressed \nair spray. Excess moisture can be removed by heat drying \non a hot plate at 70-100 °C for a few minutes. \nNote: Cleaning is a vital step to achieving good adhesion \nbetween the mounting material and the sample. Excess \noil, grease or foreign particles can result in gaps that can \nnegatively affect the sample finish. \n \n2. It is recommended to apply mold release to surfaces that \nthe mounting material will come into contact with (e.g., \ntop and bottom die, spacer, assembly chamber) so that \nthe mount will come off easily after the cycle. Keep the \nsample away from the mold release. Make sure the mold \nrelease is dry before the sample is placed on the die, or \nthe mounting powder could adhere to the die. \nNote: User preference determines use of spray, liquid or \npowder. Reference the table below for part numbers. \n \n3. With the bottom die raised to the top, place the sample in \nthe center of the die (Figure 1). \n \n4. Lower the bottom die. \n \n5. Place the powder inside. The amount used will depend on \nthe type of powder, and the size of both the sample and \nassembly. For example, about 1.5-2 scoops are used for a \nstandard 1.25" phenolic mold. \nNote: If duplexing (mounting 2 samples per cycle), less \npowder may be needed in the top and bottom section to \nclose the assembly with the bayonet cap, regardless of \nmount type or size. \n \n6. Set the curing time, temperature and pressure parameters \non the press as specified in the operation manual. \n \n7. After the cycle time is complete, turn the bayonet to \n“open” and raise the die until the bayonet and mount can \nbe removed (Figure 2). Flashing, excess powder that has \nmigrated onto the dies and cured, is normal and will need \nto be removed from the mount, the top and bottom dies, \nand the spacer if it was used. Remove flashing \nusing the brass brush or the scraping tool included \nwith the press. \n \nMold Release Part Numbers \nSilicone Spray (Hot): 200-10005 \nPTFE Spray (Hot or Cold): 200-10006 \nPTFE Liquid (Hot or Cold): 200-10015 \nPowder (Hot): 200-10100 \nFigure 1: Place the sample in the \ncenter of the die. \nFigure 2: Remove the mount after \nthe cycle has finished. \nIf the sample needs to be removed \nfrom the mount, it may be possible to \nremove it by sectioning away excess \nmaterial with a plated rim diamond \nblade and then chiseling away the \nremaining mounting material. \n