We are microdrilling holes on some alloys. Do we have to clean the pieces or polish it before SEM pics are taken? Is it a correct procedure or will it cause any changes?
The question is of course why do you want make images? If you want measure the diameter a polishing is perhaps not bad in order to reduce image artefacts as result of surface damages. However, if you like to evaluate the quality of the drilling any change/manipulation of the initial conditions is contraproductive.
Why you don't use light microscopy?
If you need to clean the sample the procedure decribed by Vladimir is perfect. Please notice that often within the holes after washing liquid can be still there (typicall for in cracks). We usually heat the sample up in order to prevent polution of the surface during pumping.
You do not need to do some special cleaning or polishing. Just smoothly remove the lose pieces of burrs maybe using acetone to clean the oil followed by air at low pressure. Moreover, with some of the attached burrs you would be able to analyse the deformation and details.
Hi Harpreet
Thanks for the information..
Can we use use the blower after using acetone?
I suspect as the velocity of the air flowing out is significantly high. However, you can use it intelligently.
You can wash them in acetone, alcohol, petroleum ether etc.
You can sonicate them in a beaker with alcohol.
It’s a good idea to blow away liquid after washing with hand-held air canister (“duster”).
The question is of course why do you want make images? If you want measure the diameter a polishing is perhaps not bad in order to reduce image artefacts as result of surface damages. However, if you like to evaluate the quality of the drilling any change/manipulation of the initial conditions is contraproductive.
Why you don't use light microscopy?
If you need to clean the sample the procedure decribed by Vladimir is perfect. Please notice that often within the holes after washing liquid can be still there (typicall for in cracks). We usually heat the sample up in order to prevent polution of the surface during pumping.
If you planned to do characterization of samples, SEM images plays a very pivotal role.The sample under investigation must be cleaned(suitable chemical) & polished well(may be no. of times till clear visibility) so that you can anticipate clear visibility of micro structures as well as boundary layer coatings if any.For the reference i have attached the well polished samples images subjected to investigate under Sem test.
I need to relativate my statement a bit after reading the previous comment: we are doing EBSD preparation which requires a very gentle and careful procedure since the information depth is only a few ten nanometers. Nevertheless, since one never should exclude preparation artifacts at unknown samples the polishing option is only a good one if the material investigated is not ductile. Only in this case I would use it, if it is necessary.
If you need good quality and resolution pictures from SEM you have to r clean you sample very well.
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