Preparation of thin sections of soil materials using synthetic resins

Abstract

TESTS HAVE BEEN MADE ON A NUMBER OF POLYESTER AND EPOXY RESINS IN COMBINATION WITH VARIOUS CATALYSTS, ACCELERATORS, AND DILUENTS TO DETERMINE THEIR SUITABILITY FOR IMPREGNATING SOIL MATERIALS TO PREPARE THIN SECTIONS. TWO POLYESTER RESINS, PLASTRENE 51 AND ESCON EX375, PROVED PARTICULARLY SATISFACTORY AND SUITABLE MIXTURES ARE DESCRIBED; THE USE OF ONE ARALDITE EPOXY RESIN IS DESCRIBED. TECHNIQUES FOR IMPREGNATING THE SAMPLES, CUTTING, GRINDING AND MOUNTING THE IMPREGNATED BLOCKS, AND AFFIXING COVER GLASSES ARE DESCRIBED. A SEPARATE SECTION DEALS WITH IMPREGNATION OF INTRACTABLE MATERIALS. LISTS OF MATERIALS, AND EQUIPMENT USED ARE GIVEN. /A/TRRL/