Paints & Adhesives

Overview

A specimen that is not electrically connected to its stub will charge under the beam, and the image will drift, streak or glow until it is unusable. Conductive paint provides that path: silver paint has the highest conductivity and is the general choice, carbon paint is preferred for analytical work because it adds no metal peaks to an EDS spectrum, and platinum paint serves where neither is suitable. Where mechanical strength is needed as well, conductive silver epoxies cure to a rigid, permanent bond that also conducts. For specimens that must be recovered afterwards there are removable mounting compounds such as SPI-Tac, Leit-C-Plast and Tempfix. The range also covers general laboratory epoxies and instant adhesives, and metallography mounting and polishing consumables.

Models

• 

  Conductive Silver Paints and Pastes

  Matched thinners are sold for each paint type to adjust viscosity for brushing or fine detail work.

• 

  Conductive Carbon Paints and Pastes

  Carbon conductive paint and paste, adding no metal peaks to an EDS spectrum, supplied with a matched thinner.

• 

  Platinum Conductive Paint

  Platinum conductive paint with brush applicator cap, for specimens where silver or carbon is unsuitable.

• 

  Conductive Silver Epoxies

  Unlike silver paint, which dries by solvent evaporation, these epoxies cure chemically and form a more durable, permanent bond.

• 

  General Epoxies and Instant Adhesives

  General laboratory epoxies and instant adhesives, commonly stocked alongside the EM-specific mounting materials.

• 

  Specimen Mounting Adhesives

  SPI-Tac, Leit-C-Plast and Tempfix compounds for mounting specimens temporarily or semi-permanently and recovering them afterwards.

• 

  Metallography Mounting and Polishing Supplies

  The metallography supplies line provides mounting resins, polishing compounds.