Abstract

The preparation of a good thin section for TEM study is of fundamental importance in order to have a clear interpretation of the real microstructure. In this work, the possibility of using ultramicrotomy in material s science applications is considered. Different materials were prepared, and the advantages and disadvantages of the technique, are evaluated and compared with conventional methods of preparation. In polymers and catalysts, ultrarmicrotomy has many advantages over other techniques. Whilst for soft metals, the high deformation-induced, changes the microstructure drastically. In coatings and thin films, where other techniques fail to reveal the interface with the substrate, ultramicrotomy was a very successful method. Also, some preliminary results on the cutting of hard materials and composites are presented.