Hello, Shafaq.

What kind of analysis are you aiming for ? The preparation will depend on it.

If need a super flat surface for AFM or thin slices for electron microscopy, you can cut it using a cryo-ultramicrotome. I suggest you take a look on this options: https://www.diatome.ch/

I use first a Trim 45 and than a Cryo 25 or Cryo AFM for a optimum surface.

Best regards

Joao

Hi Joao, thanks for your reply. I aimed to do optical microscopy and short beam shear of thermoplastic composite. Instead of ultramicrotome, I would like to use low speed precision cutter, which blade would be appropriate for it?

I did some research on this for my (never finished therefore not public) PHD thesis. I was trying to cut Carbon/PA6.6. Cutting this material with Diamond blades was quite problematic and required very intensive cooling, the cut quality was mediocre. Laser Cutting worked somewhat, but the edges were burned. Milling with special tools worked best for most specimens, but was quite expensive. Waterjet cutting with abrasives worked as well, but the corners aren't Ideal, but good enough for most tests. If above blades are all you have, take the one to cut plastics and get some spare blades. If the Saw allows for it, use cooling. In terms of Microscopy, embedding and wet sanding is time consuming, but the results were very good. Good luck with the ILS trials, that was quite tricky to get useful results out of that with my samples.