Overview

The Thin Section lab contains equipment for sample preparation of lithified and nonlithified materials for microscopy and microanalytical analysis (e.g. SEM-EDS). Thin section lab technicians are equipped to prepare core material in a wide variety of preparations, including but not limited to thin sections, polished thin sections, and grain mounts. Protocols for thin section creation vary based on material, and can be performed by hand (Buehler MetaServ 250) or through a largely automated process (Logitech LP-50 lapping machine).

Instruments

• Buehler Petrothin thin section cutting blade and cup wheel
• Logitech LP-50

• lapping machine
• Logitech PM-5 precision polishing and lapping machine
• Beuhler MetaServ 250 grinder/polisher
• Kemet Kemvac vacuum impregnator
• Zeiss petrographic microscope

Thin Section Requests

Thin section request form

Thin Section Sampling

Petrography References

Minerology References

JOIDES Resolution shipboard library (ship intranet link)

Sample Preparation References

A Manual of Practical Laboratory and Field Techniques in Palaeobiology.pdf

The preparation of thin sections and polished sections..pdf

X400 Reducing Resin Viscosity by Solvent.pdf

Manuals

LAPPING AND POLISHING BY HAND

Logitech LP 50

Frosting Slides

Flattening Thin Section Billets

Bonding Billets to Frosted Slide

Cutting Billets with PetroThin

Lapping Samples on LP50

Polishing Samples on PM5

End of Expedition Cleanup

Quick Guide TS Laser Engraver

How Disassemble the Logitech Jigs

Carbonate Staining with Alizarin Red S

Dickson 1965 Nature Carbonate staining for thin sections

Alternate Methods for making thin sections

Archived Manuals

LogitechLP50SetUp 2020.pdf

FrostingSlides 2020.pdf

FlatteningThinSectionBillets 2020.pdf

BondingBilletstoFrostedSlides 2020.pdf

CuttingBilletswithPetroThin 2020.pdf

LAPPINGSAMPLESONLP50 2020.pdf

POLISHINGSAMPLESONPM5 2020.pdf

EndofExpeditionCleanup 2020.pdf

QuickGuideTSLaserEngraver 2020.pdf

HOWTOTAKEAPARTTHELOGITECHJIGS 2020.pdf

CarbonateStainingwithAlizarinRed 2020.pdf