Cochise College Student Presentation

Roger Weller, geology instructor

wellerr@cochise.edu

Creating Thin Sections
by Jill Forsythe
text equipment process chart samples references

Thin Section Process-14 Steps

1. The section to be cut is marked on the rock specimen.

Text Box: 2. Cut the rock or core
sample using the masonry saw.

Text Box: 3. This is the section from the rock specimen. Next it needs to be ground down to a smooth surface to be glued to the slide.

Text Box: 4. Grind the thin cut specimen with 200 grit silicon carbide.

Text Box: 5. Then grind the specimen
further with 400 grit, and
then 600 grit.

Text Box: 6. You should have a smooth specimen to
put on the hot plate.

Text Box: 7. Each specimen is heated
on the hot plate to 340 degrees Fahrenheit. The slides are
also heated.

Text Box: 8. Rub the rock specimen
with Thermoplastic Quartz
Cement, being sure to cover
the entire smooth surface
that you ground down.

Text Box: 9. Rub the heated slide with the Thermoplastic Quartz Cement. Once again be sure to cover the entire surface.

Text Box: 10. Place the slide over the
rock specimen and press
down firmly to push all air bubbles out. Remove from
heat and let cool.

Text Box: 11. Use a guide to cut your one centimeter rock
specimen on the masonry
saw down to a smaller thickness.

Text Box: 12. This is the rock specimen size before grinding down
to .03 microns.

Text Box: 13. Grind the thin section on the lapidary wheel using 200 grit first.

Text Box: 14. Use perma mount to put a cover on the slide. Be sure to label the slide.