Thin Section Preparation Using an Epoxy Impregnation for Petrographic and Electron Microprobe Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Improved apparatus for controlling temperature and pressure during impregnation with the epoxy Scotchcast No. 3 resulted in complete impregnation of high bulk density soil clods. Advantages of the epoxy as a soil impregnating medium were simple preparation, suitable pot life, low viscosity, a 1.53 refractive index, short polymerization period, low relief in polished thin section, and high thermal stability. Technique for transfer of a polished thin section to a circular slide for electron microprobe analysis utilized two thermo‐setting plastics of differing softening points.