Testing and results
We recommend the use of EpoxiCure, SpeciFix-20 or EpoFix for SIMS analysis.
Tests
Information on testing various measurements on the commonly used resins, together with comments on their suitability and advice on sample preparation.
| Bonding | E-beam damage |
| Cathodoluminescence | Hardness tests |
| Compositions | Vacuum pump test |
Results summary
Ideally, the resins should have a low viscosity, set quickly, set hard, be compatible at high vacuum and contain no element that will compromise the SIMS chemical or isotopic analysis. In addition, it should be suitable for petrological study, imaging (e.g. cathodoluminescence (CL), backscatter electron (BSE)) and electron micro-probe analysis (EPMA). No resin meets all these requirements.
| Viscosity | 5 Stars for the viscosity closest to water |
 |
| Hardness | 5 Stars for the resin closest to the hardness of common rock forming minerals |
|
| Cure time | 5 Stars for shortest cure time |
|
| Composition | 5 Stars for the cleanest composition that would not compromise a SIMS analysis |
|
| Cathodoluminescence | 5 Stars for the lowest luminescence |
|
| e-beam damage | 5 Stars for the most robust resin to e-beam bombardment |
|
| Bonding, gap and relief | 5 Stars for the best bonding, smallest gap and minimal polishing induced relief |
|
The table below presents a star rating, culminating in an Engwell score. Clearly, some materials or analyses may put a different importance on any of the properties.
| Epoxy Resin | Viscosity | Vacuum Test | Hardness | Cure Time | Composition | Bonding | Gap | Relief | 'Luminescence | e-beam Damage | Engwell Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EpoThin |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
32 |
| EpoHeat |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
34 |
| EpoxiCure (Cured at Room Temperature) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40 |
| EpoxiCure (Cured at 65oC) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33 |
| TransOptic |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not Tested |
|
|
| ProbeMet |
|
|
Not Tested |
|
|
|
|
|
Not Tested | Not Tested | |
| KonductoMet |
|
|
Not Tested |
|
|
|
|
|
Not Tested | Not Tested | |
| SpeciFix-20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36.5 |
| EpoFix |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36 |
| Ciba Geigy MY778 & HY951 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38 |
| Robnor Resins PX771c |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28 |
| Korapox 439 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24.5 |
| Domestic Rapid Set Araldite |
 |
Not Tested |
|
|
|
Not Tested | Not Tested | Not Tested | Not Tested | Not Tested | |
| Domestic Araldite |
|
Not Tested |
|
|
|
Not Tested | Not Tested | Not Tested | Not Tested | Not Tested | |
| Varian Torr Seal |
|
Not Tested | Not Tested |
|
|
Not Tested | Not Tested | Not Tested | Not Tested | Not Tested | |
| Petropoxy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29 |
Comments
- The facility recommends the use of EpoxiCure, SpeciFix-20 or EpoFix for SIMS analysis, although other resins should be considered for specific requirements such as low viscosity.
- Transoptic shatters samples during the pressure/heating procedure and we wonder why it is suggested for delicate samples. It produces a network of gaps in contact with the sample and the surfaces of the pressure vessel. Its pump-down time is long and blisters badly under electron beam impact.
- Konductomet also fractures samples during the pressure/heating procedure.
- Rapid-set araldite has a high viscosity and contains C, O, Al and Cl as well as sulphur.