HOT MOUNTING PRODUCTS GUIDE
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Page 1\nwww.alliedhightech.com \nAllied High Tech Products, Inc. \nCall for more information: 800.675.1118 \nProduct Guide \nHot/Compression Mounting \nHot mounting, or compression mounting, uses pressure and heat to encapsulate a \nsample for grinding/polishing. It is an economical mounting method for samples that \ncan withstand the pressure and heat used. Hot mounting protects the sample edges, \nmakes small/irregular samples easier to handle, makes manual/semiautomatic polishing \neasier and facilitates etching after sample polishing. \nThere are a variety of hot mounting powders available for a range of applications listed \nbelow along with the durometer hardness (Shore D) of each cured mount: \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 powder used for routine \napplications and offers a \nclear mount for easy \nsample observation without \nyellowing over time. \nShore D \n70-85\nTransparent Thermoplastic \nA wood-based bakelite \nmounting powder used for \nroutine applications, when \ncolor-coding for material \nidentification, or as backfill \nfor more expensive \nmounting powders. \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 \nwith glass fiber filler that \nprovides excellent specimen \nadhesion and edge \nretention. Use of mold \nrelease is recommended. \nShore D \n80-90\nBlack Glass-Filled Epoxy \nThese conductive mounting \npowders are used for SEM, EBSD \nand electrolytic polishing \napplications. Copper-based should \nbe used for samples where copper \nis not a primary constituent, and \ngraphite-based is recommended \nfor specimens without carbon as a \ncomponent. \nShore D \n85-90\nGraphite \nCopper \nShore D \n85-90\nPart Numbers: \n\n\nPage 2\nwww.alliedhightech.com \nAllied High Tech Products, Inc. \nCall for more information: 800.675.1118 \n \n2 \nCleaning \n \nCleaning is a vital step to achieving good adhesion between the mounting \nmaterial and the sample. Excess oil, grease or foreign particles can result in \ngaps which can negatively affect the sample finish. Allied’s recommended \ncleaning procedure is as follows: \n \n1. Place samples in an ultrasonic cleaner with a diluted GP cleaning \nsolution and clean for 5 minutes. \n2. Rinse with ethyl alcohol and dry with compressed air spray. Excess \nmoisture can be removed by heat drying on a hot plate at \n70-100 °C for a few minutes. \nUsing the Mounting Press \n \n1. It is recommended to apply mold release to surfaces that the \nmounting material will come into contact with (e.g., top and \nbottom die, spacer, assembly chamber) so that the mount will \ncome off easily after the cycle. Make sure the mold release is dry \nbefore the sample is placed on the die, or the mounting powder \ncould adhere to the die. \n2. With the bottom die raised to the top, place the sample in the \ncenter of the die (Figure 1). \n3. Lower the bottom die. \n4. Place the powder inside. The amount used will depend on the \ntype of powder, and the size of the sample and assembly. For \nexample, about 1.5-2 scoops are used for a standard 1.25" \nphenolic mold. \nNote: If duplexing (mounting 2 samples per cycle), less powder \nmay be needed in the top and bottom section to close the \nassembly with the bayonet cap, regardless of mount type or size. \n5. Set the curing time, temperature and pressure parameters on \nthe press as specified in the operation manual. \n6. After the cycle time is complete, turn the bayonet to “open” and \nraise the die until the bayonet and mount can be removed \n(Figure 2). Flashing, an excess of cured powder that has \nmigrated onto the dies, is normal and will need to be removed \nfrom the mount, as well as the top and bottom die and the \nspacer (if used). Use the brass brush or the scraping tool \nincluded with the press to remove flashing. \nMold Release \nInstructions \nPart numbers \n• Let the mold release dry. \n• Keep the sample away from the mold release. \n• User preference determines use of spray, \nliquid or powder. \nSilicone Spray (Hot): \nPTFE Spray (Hot or Cold): \nPTFE Liquid (Hot or Cold): \nPowder (Hot): \n200-10005 \n200-10006 \n200-10015 \n200-10100 \nFigure 1: Place the sample in the \ncenter of the die. \nFigure 2: Remove the mount \nafter the 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