I would like to do a cross-section analysis of biaxial oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film. The thickness of the film is 20 micron. Previously I am using liquid nitrogen to tear the film but it did not work as the film wont freeze. Scanning the film by just cutting it using knife also did not work as the skin layer will contaminate the cross-section area. So how do I have to prepare the sample before characterize using sem? Or is there any other alternative instrument that can be use to do a cross-section check?
I agree with Johan. In our lab, the film embedded in a thermosetting resin and then proceed using microtome.
Thank you for your responses. really appreciate it! but I have other question regarding the method: my bopp film consist of 3 layer which is skin-core-skin. I am putting anti-block plastic additive in the skin layer of the film. The reason of the cross section analysis is to observe the anti-block in the skin layer. So my question is, if i embed the film with thermosetting resin, does it contaminated my sample?