Best Practice Recommendations for Metallography of Very Soft Materials

Metallographic preparation of very soft materials such as solder and pure metals has been a challenge that has plagued metallographers for decades. As analysis techniques have become more refined, the requirements for preparation have become more and more demanding. Problems include gross deformation of material in early stages of preparation, sub-surface deformation during intermediate preparation stages, smear, scratches, embedding of foreign particles, smearing, polishing relief and unwanted surface etching effects. All of these artefacts can be avoided by using appropriate materials and processes. Best practice recommendations are given both for how to recognize these problems and how to address them, for a variety of materials and for all stages of preparation from sectioning to analysis.