In order to obtain scrachfree surfaces without deformation, successive material removal by abrasives is necessary. Grinding is the next stage after sectioning. Grinding is divided into two processes: Planar grinding and Fine grinding.
The purpose of planar grinding is to obtain a level surface and to remove scale, burrs or surface irregulation from the specimen. Coarse paper discs (up to 120 grit) are used for planar grinding. Fine grinding removes the deformations resulting from coarse grinding to make the surface ready for polishing which is the final stage.
Metkon paper grinding discs are available as "Plain back" (PL) and "Self Adhesive" (SA).

Diamond grinding pads are used especially for the leveling and grinding of very hard materials such as ceramics, refractory materials and tungsten carbides. Diamond pads have perfectly calibrated diamond deposit coated by metallic or resinoid bands. Metal bonds are used for planar grinding and resin bonds are good for fine grinding.

To remove deformation from fine grinding and obtain a surface that is highly reflective, the specimens must be polished before they can be examined under the microscope. Polishing is a complex activity in which factors such as quality and suitability for the cloth,abrasive, polishing pressure, polishing speed and duration need to be taken into account. The quality of the surface obtained after the final polishing depends on all these factors and the finish of the surface on completion of each of the previous stages.

Diamond Products

Diamond, due to its exceptional hardness and cutting capacity, has become the first choice abrasive in metallographic polishing. Diamonds for metallographic grinding and polishing are available in two different crystalline shapes: Polycrystalline (P) and monocrystalline (M). Polycrystalline diamonds provide vast numbers of small cutting edges. In the metallographic preparation process these edges result in high material removal, while producing only a shallow scratch depth.
Monocrystalline diamonds are more block-shaped and provide few cutting edges. These diamonds give high material removal with a more variable scratch pattern. For high requirements, the (P)-type diamond are chosen. The (M) type diamonds are best suited for all-purpose polishing. METKON offers diamond products in three forms; diamond paste, diamond suspension and diamond spray.

Diamond Lubricant, Water-based 1.0 lt., bottle
Alumina Suspensions
Alumina Powder (deaglomerated)