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Titanium microstructure

Titanium Alloys - Metallographic Sample Preparation

Metallographic preparation of titanium alloys can be accomplished easily when using OnPoint Abrasives' consumables and procedures. We have provided step by step instructions for metallographic sample preparation of titanium alloys below.

Sectioning Recommendations: Achieving optimal results in the resurfacing process hinges on precise cutting techniques. To minimize subsequent grinding steps, it is strongly advised to cut the specimen as close to the Point of Interest (POI) as feasible.

For titanium alloys, our top-tier suggestions involve utilizing either TitanSec abrasive blades or our General Purpose diamond blade. TitanSec abrasive blades employ SiC particles embedded in a rubber bond, yielding a high-speed cutting blade that effectively preserves the integrity of the specimen.

There may be scenarios where traditional metallurgical sectioning proves impractical, particularly when dealing with very small or delicate specimens such as thin wires or foil-like materials. In such instances, employing fundamental cutting tools like scissors, paper cutters, or bolt shears is more suitable. Notably, for minute samples like biomedical device components, a common approach involves solely relying on grinding procedures to attain the desired depth, thus bypassing the need for initial sectioning altogether. 

Mounting Recommendations: To produce optimal metallographic mounts for titanium alloys, consider EpoMount epoxy powder for compression specimen mounting. The robust hardness of the mineral infused epoxy ensures exceptional preservation of specimen edges and facilitates uniformity across the complete mount surface.

For titanium alloy specimens necessitating castable mounting, it is advised to utilize our EpoPro liquid epoxy system. Employing a vacuum impregnation chamber while conducting the castable mounting procedure effectively eradicates undesired air bubbles from the epoxy material, enabling its penetration into the intricate recesses and geometries of your titanium alloy specimen. This method is highly recommended for casting metallographic samples of titanium alloys, although it may not be nessesary in all instances.

Grinding and Polishing Recommendations: OnPoint's guidelines for grinding and polishing serve as a reference for preparing samples for metallographic analysis. Our titanium alloy procedure is specifically designed for employment on an automated polisher featuring Central Force capability. This procedure uses a contra directional pattern between the working wheel and specimen holder.

When using polishers that possess exclusively Individual Force capability or when opting for manual polishing, the operator should commence the procedure from step number 2. Adjustments are also necessary when using Individual Force or manual polishing. We advise adopting a complimentary directional pattern. For Steps 1 and 2, maintain an RPM of 200/base and 150/head. For steps 3 and 4, reduce the RPM to 150/base and 100/head. It might be necessary to extend polishing durations for all steps.

 PREPARING TITANIUM ALLOYS FOR METALLOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
Step # Abrasive Surface Lube Load/Sample
 RPM Time
1 240 Grit SiC CarbiPro SIC Water 6 lbs

300 Base

100 Head

 Planar
1.1 Clean specimens/holder Cotton Ball Water - - 0:30
2 320 Grit SiC (x2 sheets/1 min each) CarbiPro SiC Water 6 lbs

300 Base

100 Head

 2:00
2.1 Clean specimens/holder Cotton Ball Water - - 0:30
3 9µm Diamond Suspension MasterPlan Cloth Lubricant
 5 lbs

150 Base

60 Head

 10:00
3.1 Clean specimens/holder Cotton Ball Water - - 0:30
4 0.04µm Colloidal Silica FinalFloc Cloth - 5 lbs

150 Base

60 Head

 10:00
4.1 Clean specimens/holder Cotton Ball Water - -
 0:30

Tech Note: For enhanced grain boundaries, skilled metallographers may include hydrogen peroxide (30%) mixed in colloidal silica. Mix at 5 to 1 ratio (colloidal silica to H2O2). This step should only be performed by qualified personnel and should always include the use of proper PPE.

Note: Clean specimen by gently wiping the surface with a cotton ball under running water. Repeat until all visible contamination is removed. Use of an ultrasonic cleaner is highly recommended for samples with high porosity content or intricate geometries.

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Alumina Suspension 0.05 micron
$0.00 - $0.00
$0.00
$199.00
$199.00 - $199.00
$199.00

Alumabrasive Alumina Suspension - 1 Gallon - 0.05 µm

Alumabrasive Alumina Suspension is an ideal water-based polishing agent for soft materials such as copper, aluminum, and lead. It comes in a 1-gall...

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$0.00
$199.00
$199.00 - $199.00
$199.00
Alumina Suspension 0.05 micron
$0.00 - $0.00
$0.00
$72.00
$72.00 - $72.00
$72.00

Alumabrasive Alumina Suspension - 32 oz - 0.05 µm

Alumabrasive Alumina Suspension is an ideal water-based polishing agent for soft materials such as copper, aluminum, and lead. It comes in a 32oz c...

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$0.00
$72.00
$72.00 - $72.00
$72.00
$0.00 - $0.00
$0.00
$199.00
$199.00 - $199.00
$199.00

Alumabrasive Alumina Suspension 1 Gallon

Alumabrasive Alumina Suspension is a specialized water-based polishing medium for soft materials such as copper, aluminum, and lead. Its high-visco...

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$0.00
$199.00
$199.00 - $199.00
$199.00
$0.00 - $0.00
$0.00
$38.00
$38.00 - $38.00
$38.00

Alumabrasive Alumina Suspension 16oz

Alumabrasive Alumina Suspension is a specialized water-based polishing medium for soft materials such as copper, aluminum, and lead. Its high-visco...

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$38.00
$38.00 - $38.00
$38.00
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$0.00
$72.00
$72.00 - $72.00
$72.00

Alumabrasive Alumina Suspension 32oz

Alumabrasive Alumina Suspension is a specialized water-based polishing medium for soft materials such as copper, aluminum, and lead. Its high-visco...

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$0.00
$72.00
$72.00 - $72.00
$72.00
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$0.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00

Alumabrasive Alumina Suspension 8oz

Alumabrasive Alumina Suspension is a specialized water-based polishing medium for soft materials such as copper, aluminum, and lead. Its high-visco...

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$0.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
Polycrystalline Alumina Suspension AlumaPro MasterPrep Nanometer
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

AlumaPro Polycrystalline Alumina Slurry 16 oz - 0.05 µm

AlumaPro Polycrystalline Alumina is an optimal polishing slurry for metallographic sample preparation, recommended for polishing of ferrous metals,...

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$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
AlumaPro alumina 0.05 micron
$130.00 - $130.00
$130.00
$130.00 - $130.00
$130.00

AlumaPro Polycrystalline Alumina Slurry 64 oz - 0.05 µm

AlumaPro Polycrystalline Alumina is an optimal polishing slurry for metallographic sample preparation, recommended for polishing of ferrous metals...

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$130.00 - $130.00
$130.00
$130.00 - $130.00
$130.00
Polycrystalline Alumina Suspension AlumaPro MasterPrep Nanometer
$205.00 - $205.00
$205.00
$205.00 - $205.00
$205.00

AlumaPro Polycrystalline Alumina Slurry- 1 Gallon - 0.05 µm

AlumaPro Polycrystalline Alumina is an optimal polishing slurry for metallographic sample preparation, recommended for polishing of ferrous metals...

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$205.00 - $205.00
$205.00
$205.00 - $205.00
$205.00
Polycrystalline Alumina Suspension AlumaPro MasterPrep Nanometer
$80.00 - $80.00
$80.00
$80.00 - $80.00
$80.00

AlumaPro Polycrystalline Alumina Slurry- 32 oz - 0.05 µm

AlumaPro Polycrystalline Alumina is an optimal polishing slurry for metallographic sample preparation, recommended for polishing of ferrous metals...

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$80.00 - $80.00
$80.00
$80.00 - $80.00
$80.00
240 grit silicon carbide grinding paper roll
$0.00 - $0.00
$0.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

CarbiPro SiC Grinding Paper Roll (3-7/16-in x 60-ft) - 240 grit

CarbiPro's Silicon Carbide abrasive grinding paper is ideal for metallurgical grinding of a host of materials. This roll-form C-weight paper has a ...

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$0.00 - $0.00
$0.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
320 grit silicon carbide grinding paper roll
$0.00 - $0.00
$0.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

CarbiPro SiC Grinding Paper Roll (3-7/16-in x 60-ft) - 320 grit

 CarbiPro's Silicon Carbide abrasive grinding paper is ideal for metallurgical grinding of a host of materials. This roll-form C-weight paper has a...

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$0.00 - $0.00
$0.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
400 grit silicon carbide grinding paper roll
$0.00 - $0.00
$0.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

CarbiPro SiC Grinding Paper Roll (3-7/16-in x 60-ft) - 400 grit

CarbiPro's Silicon Carbide abrasive grinding paper is ideal for metallurgical grinding of a host of materials. This roll-form C-weight paper has a ...

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$0.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
600 grit silicon carbide grinding paper roll
$0.00 - $0.00
$0.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

CarbiPro SiC Grinding Paper Roll (3-7/16-in x 60-ft) - 600 grit

CarbiPro's Silicon Carbide abrasive grinding paper is ideal for metallurgical grinding of a host of materials. This roll-form C-weight paper has a ...

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$0.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
800 grit silicon carbide grinding paper roll
$0.00 - $0.00
$0.00
$55.00
$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00

CarbiPro SiC Grinding Paper Roll (3-7/16-in x 75-ft) - 1000 grit

 CarbiPro's Silicon Carbide abrasive grinding paper is ideal for metallurgical grinding of a host of materials. This roll-form C-weight paper has a...

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$0.00 - $0.00
$0.00
$55.00
$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00
1200 grit Silicon carbide grinding paper roll
$0.00 - $0.00
$0.00
$55.00
$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00

CarbiPro SiC Grinding Paper Roll (3-7/16-in x 75-ft) - 1200 grit

 CarbiPro's Silicon Carbide abrasive grinding paper is ideal for metallurgical grinding of a host of materials. This roll-form C-weight paper has a...

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$0.00 - $0.00
$0.00
$55.00
$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00
800 grit silicon carbide grinding paper roll
$0.00 - $0.00
$0.00
$55.00
$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00

CarbiPro SiC Grinding Paper Roll (3-7/16-in x 75-ft) - 800 grit

 CarbiPro's Silicon Carbide abrasive grinding paper is ideal for metallurgical grinding of a host of materials. This roll-form C-weight paper has a...

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$0.00
$55.00
$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00
CarbonMount conductive mounting resin
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00

CarbonMount Conductive Mounting Resin Powder - Graphite-Filled 1 lb

 CarbonMount is a graphite-filled, compression mounting resin powder for metallographic specimen preparation. Use CarbonMount to produce conductive...

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$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
CarbonMount conductive mounting resin
$140.00 - $140.00
$140.00
$140.00 - $140.00
$140.00

CarbonMount Conductive Mounting Resin Powder - Graphite-Filled 5 lb

 CarbonMount is a graphite-filled, compression mounting resin powder for metallographic specimen preparation. Use CarbonMount to produce conductive...

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$140.00 - $140.00
$140.00
$140.00 - $140.00
$140.00
CarbonMount conductive mounting resin
CarbonMount conductive mounting resin
$635.00 - $635.00
$635.00
$635.00 - $635.00
$635.00

CarbonMount Graphite-Filled Conductive Compound 25 lbs

 CarbonMount is a graphite-filled, compression mounting resin powder for metallographic specimen preparation. Use CarbonMount to produce conductive...

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$635.00 - $635.00
$635.00
$635.00 - $635.00
$635.00
ChemPro Polishing Cloth
ChemPro Polishing Cloth with Rubber Magnetic Backing 10in
$150.00 - $150.00
$150.00
$150.00 - $150.00
$150.00

ChemPro Polishing Cloth, 10in (254mm), Magnetic Rubber Back

ChemPro is a dense, porous, non-woven cloth designed for high-performance materials preparation. With its fine, porous polyurethane surface, ChemPr...

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$150.00 - $150.00
$150.00
$150.00 - $150.00
$150.00
ChemPro Polishing Cloth
ChemPro Polishing Cloth with Rubber Magnetic Backing 10in
$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00
$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00

ChemPro Polishing Cloth, 10in (254mm), Magnetic Steel Back

ChemPro is a dense, porous, non-woven cloth designed for high-performance materials preparation. With its fine, porous polyurethane surface, ChemPr...

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$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00
$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00
ChemPro Polishing Cloth
ChemPro Polishing Cloth with PSA Backing 10in
$120.00 - $120.00
$120.00
$120.00 - $120.00
$120.00

ChemPro Polishing Cloth, 10in (254mm), PSA

ChemPro is a dense, porous, non-woven cloth designed for high-performance materials preparation. With its fine, porous polyurethane surface, ChemPr...

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$120.00 - $120.00
$120.00
$120.00 - $120.00
$120.00
ChemPro Polishing Cloth
ChemPro Polishing Cloth with Rubber Magnetic Backing 12in
$170.00 - $170.00
$170.00
$170.00 - $170.00
$170.00

ChemPro Polishing Cloth, 12in (305mm), Magnetic Rubber Back

ChemPro is a dense, porous, non-woven cloth designed for high-performance materials preparation. With its fine, porous polyurethane surface, ChemPr...

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$170.00 - $170.00
$170.00
$170.00 - $170.00
$170.00