Slide preparation methods in mineralogy
- 1. SUBMITTED BY: NEERAJ SHARMA ROLL NO.:CUHP18ENV16SUBMITTED TO : DR. ANURAG LIND
- 2. PURPOSE OF SLIDE PREPARATION IN MINERALOGY Classification of rocks Identification and mapping of minerals , dating or exploration Analysis: major and trace elements , textural studies , isotopic composition Studies of fluid inclusion Studies of microfossil Studies of rock fabrics e.g. porosity and permeability Studies of texture and age of bones / teeth
- 3. SPECIMEN TYPES Specimen types can be split into 4 groups 1. Thin section (30µm ) (+cover glasses)-for examination in transmitted light or electron microscope/probe 2. Polished thin section-for examination in transmitted /reflected light or electron microscope/probe 3. Thick sections (100µm) – for examination in reflected light or electron microscope/ probe 4. Polished blocks /mounts-for examination in reflected light or electron microscope/probe Specimen type 1,2,3 all have special requirements from a materialographic point of view .Differences between the three types are characterized by surface finishing and specimen thickness. Specimen type 4 is a more conventional materialographic specimen in term of requirements
- 4. The same mineralogical material will have similar preparation methods across the four different specimen types
- 5. 1. Rock saws : automatic machine with clamping and diamond saw blades 2.Grinding machine: 2 grinding discs made of cast iron between 15cm and 30cm
- 6. 3. Polishing machines: semi automatic polishing machines , polishing discs 4.Polarization microscope:
- 7. Production of thin section is a multistep process which require highly specialized equipment 1) Sampling from larger section Thin section preparation
- 8. 2. Cutting of a specimen to 20*30*8.0mm Thin section preparation
- 9. Thin section preparation 3. Grinding or lapping of the specimen to complete planes
- 10. 4. Grinding of glass slide to complete planes and a well defined thickness Thin section preparation
- 11. 5. Cementing the specimen to a glass slide Thin section preparation
- 12. 6. Cutting off surplus specimen material to thickness of 0.5-2.0mm Thin section preparation
- 13. 7. Grinding of thin sections to a thickness of 80µm Thin section preparation
- 14. 8. Grinding or lapping of a thin section to a final thickness of section +resin 30µm Thin section preparation
- 15. 9. Polishing of thin section removing approximately 10µm Thin section preparation