Precision in material preparation is essential across aerospace, automotive, electronics, and research industries. A defect-free surface ensures enhanced performance, reliability, and accuracy in further processing or testing. One of the most critical steps in metallographic sample preparation is lapping and polishing, where precision surface finishing techniques eliminate imperfections and refine material structures. Technological advancements have made these processes more efficient and standardized, leading to improved sample quality.

To support laboratories and manufacturing facilities in achieving the highest standards in material preparation, MSE Supplies now offers products from Kemet International, a globally recognized leader in lapping and polishing solutions.

Difference Between Lapping & Polishing

Lapping and polishing are two distinct but interconnected processes that play a crucial role in material preparation:

• Lapping
  A controlled material removal technique where fine abrasives in a slurry or embedded in a plate are used to achieve ultra-flat surfaces and uniformity. This process eliminates surface irregularities while ensuring minimal subsurface damage.

• Polishing
  The final refinement removes fine scratches and imperfections, enhancing the material’s clarity and reflectivity. Polishing is essential for high-quality metallographic sample preparation.

Both processes ensure accuracy and repeatability in materials research, manufacturing, and quality control applications.

Standard Workflow for Sample Preparation

A structured workflow is followed in metallographic sample preparation to ensure optimal surface quality.

Step 1: Cutting and Sectioning

• Objective: Reduce the sample to a manageable size while minimizing microstructural damage.

• Process: Diamond saws or abrasive cutting tools create clean, uniform sections.

• Importance: Prevents structural distortions that could affect later analysis.

Step 2: Mounting

• Objective: Secure the sample for uniform handling and preparation.

• Process: The sample is embedded in resin or epoxy to provide stability and protect edges.

• Importance: Ensures consistency, especially for small or irregularly shaped specimens.

Step 3: Grinding

• Objective: Remove surface roughness and defects from the cutting process.

• Process: A sequence of abrasive grinding discs with progressively finer grits is used to refine the surface.

• Importance: Establishes a smooth, flat base for the lapping and polishing stages.

Step 4: Lapping

• Objective: Further smooth the surface, ensuring uniformity and flatness.

• Process: The sample is placed on a lapping plate with abrasive slurries to achieve a highly controlled material removal process.

• Importance: Removes subsurface damage and prepares the sample for the final polishing step.

Step 5: Polishing

• Objective: Eliminate remaining scratches and enhance reflectivity for metallographic examination.

• Process: Fine diamond suspensions or colloidal silica are applied with polishing cloths to achieve a mirror-like finish.

• Importance: Produces high-contrast, high-quality surfaces required for optical and microscopic analysis.

Kemet: A New Addition to MSE Supplies' Metallographic Equipment and Consumables

With over 85 years of experience, Kemet International Ltd is a world leader in precision lapping and polishing solutions. Their product range includes:

• Diamond abrasives and slurries for controlled material removal.

• Lapping and polishing machines for consistent, high-quality surface finishing.

• Metallographic sample preparation tools to meet the highest industry standards.

Kemet’s solutions are widely used worldwide in aerospace, automotive, semiconductor, and research laboratories. With a reputation for precision and reliability, their products ensure that metallographic samples meet the strictest requirements.

Through MSE Supplies, customers can access Kemet’s high-performance solutions, expanding the range of material preparation tools available for diverse industry needs. 

MSE Supplies A One-Stop Solution for Metallographic Analysis

At MSE Supplies, we are committed to providing comprehensive solutions for everything from metallographic sample preparation to analysis. With the addition of Kemet International Ltd, we now offer an even broader selection of Metallographic Equipment and Consumables, including:

• MSE PRO: High-quality metallographic sample preparation tools, microscopes, grinding/polishing consumables, and diamond suspensions.

• Metkon: Precision equipment for cutting, grinding, and polishing, widely used in laboratories and manufacturing facilities.

• Kemet: Advanced lapping and polishing systems for unparalleled accuracy in material preparation.

Whether you need cutting, mounting, grinding & polishing or are in need of microscopes and hardness testers, MSE Supplies provides everything required for metallographic workflows—all in one place.

Achieving the highest levels of precision in lapping and polishing is essential for accurate metallographic sample preparation. With Kemet’s world-class solutions now available through MSE Supplies, researchers and manufacturers can streamline processes and improve material preparation quality. Explore our range of Metallographic Equipment and Consumables today to enhance your sample preparation workflow!