Ultrasonic Disc Cutter
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Description
The ultrasonic disc cutter is used for producing 3mm diameter disks/rods of ceramic, metal, semiconductor and/or geological specimens for TEM analysis. The titanium cutting tool excursion is driven with a lead zirconium titanate (PZT) crystal at a driving frequency of 26 kHz. Boron or silicon carbide powder slurry is used as the cutting media.
Capabilities
- produces discs from materials as thin as 40 µm and cylindrical rods up to 10 mm length
- uses an electrical continuity detector to automatically terminate the cutting process
- site-specific sample positioning with 10um accuracy via integrated microscope attachment
Limitations
- Maximum sample diameter = 40mm
- Hard materials (e.g. sapphire) exhibit very slow cutting rates
Related Equipment
Location: Supple 171
Manager: Dr. Casey Smith, casey.smith@txstate.edu
Manufacturer, Model: E.A. Fischione Instruments, Inc., Model 170