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Equipment for Preparing Electropolished TEM Specimens at Controlled and Low Temperatures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

Vjekoslav Franetovic*
Affiliation:
General Motors Research Laboratories, Metallurgy Department, Warren, MI 48090-9055
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Abstract

A cooling device for use with the Fishione twin-jet electropolisher Model 110 has been developed for electropolishing TEM specimens at controlled and low temperatures necessary for some materials. This consists of an explosion-proof pump circulating methanol through a specially designed stainless steel bath, and a copper coil immersed in a mixture of methanol and dry ice in a dewar. A thermocouple with a temperature control unit provides precise temperature control.

With this device, electropolishing can be conducted at temperatures as low as −55°C. This allows electropolishing of certain materials which cannot be polished with conventional equipment. The precisely controlled temperature also improves the performance of the electropolishing equipment at all temperatures because the success of electropolishing depends on maintaining constant conditions during the process. The unit further allows the use of aggressive electrolytes and preparation of solutions which could otherwise become hazardous due to heat buildup during electropolishing or preparation.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1988

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References

REFERENCES

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