+ Contact NASA
			Polishing techniques used to prepare general samples involve four major steps: Plane Grind, Fine Grind, Diamond Polishing and Vibratory Polishing. For more unique samples a special set of polishing steps will be developed to fit the needs of the sample.   Above: Polishing operations in the Met Lab.   Plane Grind Rough grind of sample to produce a flat surface Step removes any excess epoxy or hardened Bakelite powder that may have covered the sample surface Fine Grind Series of fine grinding steps which ultimately produce a 20 micron finish Diamond Polishing Produces a 1 micron finish Several rotating disks are used in the process each time reducing the size of the scratches Vibratory Polishing Refines surface using 0.5 micron diamond or 0.05 micron colloidal silica. Return to sample preparation page... For further information please contact Joy Buehler Cutting Mounting Plasma Etching Interference Layering
	Ciencia@NASA Earth Observatory Greatest Images of NASA Human Spaceflight Web Mars Exploration NASA Education Program NASA History NASA Image Exchange NASA Technology Planetary Photojournal Science@NASA Aeronautics Education Exploration Systems Science Missions Space Operations Headquarters Ames Research Center Dryden Flight Research Center Glenn Research Center Goddard Space Flight Center Jet Propulsion Laboratory Johnson Space Center Kennedy Space Center Langley Research Center Marshall Space Flight Center Stennis Space Center + NASA Web Privacy Policy and Important Notices + Freedom of Information Act + The President's Management Agenda + NASA Privacy Statement, Disclaimer, and Accessibility Certification + Inspector General Hotline NASA Official: Dr. Michael Nathal + Web Curator + Contact NASA Last Updated: May 13, 2008