Reflections on the Use of Microtomy for Materials Science Specimen Preparation

Abstract

Abstract: Since 1972 the author and colleagues at Ford Motor Company have been publishing results of materials analyses which were obtained using ambient temperature or cryomicrotomy as one of the sample preparation techniques. Generally two types of sectioning, thin and ultrathin, were pursued for light-optical and electron-optical microscopy, respectively. These papers include the study of the following materials, which have been separated into nine classes: polymer composites, polymer blends, reverse osmosis membranes, carbon fibers, elastomers, automotive exhaust catalysts, aluminum surface coatings, aluminum alloy automotive wheels, and rapidly solidified aluminum alloys. This review is not intended to reiterate the conclusions of these prior publications but will provide the reader with an insight into the many ways microtomy can be used for materials studies.