Technovit® Resins for Materialography

These resins meet the highest standards. They are used as mounting agents for materialographic examinations or as an aid in materialography and for production processes and are therefore an integral part of the everyday activities of modern laboratories and in manufacturing processes. The main emphasis is on the application for materials testing. Gap-free mounting, transparency, time saving and simple handling as well as maximum impression accuracy and form stability are the properties that are demanded especially in the various areas of "materialography“. Besides the classic materialographic application, these products can also be used for industrial production processes, tool making, prototype construction (casts, fixtures) or in the restoration sector.

Technovit® 4000: For Low-Shrinkage

3-component cold mounting resin

Technovit 4000 is a fast curing, cold polymerizing 3-component resin based on modified polyester and superfine inorganic filler in the form of Powder, Syrup I and Syrup II.

• for optimum edge protection and margin definitions
• ideal also for mounting specimens with porous surface, small fissures, blind holes or undercuts; Vacuum mounting is possible during pot life

Properties and application

• very low polymerization shrinkage and optimum margin fit
• excellent flow characteristics very good adhesion to metal surfaces, therefore optimum edge protection and margin definition
• excellent grinding and polishing properties
• short curing time of approx. 6 – 13 minutes
• mixing ratio is 1:2:2 (Syrup II : Syrup I : Powder)
• color: white opaque

Technovit® 4004: Transparent mounting resins when visual control is necessary

The transparent Technovit cold mounting resins are matched to the requirements in modern laboratories. They are used everywhere where a visual control of the specimen through the mounting resin is necessary.

Transparent 2-component mounting resins based on MMA have a low boiling point, which leads to blistering during curing. The boiling point can be increased by using the Technomat pressure pot (see page 15). This is how bubblefree, highly transparent mountings are achieved.

Transparent for routine mountings

The powder-liquid system is optimal for fast routine examinations, which require visual control.

Properties and application

• 2-component powder-liquid system
• fast curing time of 9–12 min.
• simple application through variable mixing ratio

All Technovit resins are resistant to the most common caustics in metallography.

From Practice : prevent "floating" of the specimen

Fig. 1: Place Technovit fixing paste (page 15) on the bottom of the mounting mould. Fig. 2+3: Position specimen. Fig. 4: Cure fixing paste with the Technovit Blue LED. Embed specimen as usual.

Technovit® 4006: Transparent and low temperature

The transparent version for sensitive specimens The highly transparent 2-component cold mounting resin enables less thermal load through longer curing times. This makes target preparations on sensitive materials simple and uncomplicated!

Properties and application

• 2-component powder-liquid system
• simplest application through variable mixing ratio
• low-gap mounting through integrated bonding agent and lower thermal load
• good grinding and polishing properties
• new initiator system – less irritating!
• ideal for routine target preparations with lower thermal load

Technovit® 4071: The Universal

Uncomplicated – ideal for all routine mountings The highly linked Technovit 4071 offers the best grinding properties with simultaneous simple processing. The semi-transparency and short curing time make it indispensable for routine mountings. Series of specimens can be produced in the shortest time.

Properties and application

• simple handling, best for routine work
• optimal flow characteristic
• short curing time (5 – 7 min.)
• excellently grindable and machinable
• fast routine mounting resin for the full range of materials
• color: green-transparent

Technovit® 5000: For Electrically Conductive

Ideal for all SEM examinations

This 2-component cold mounting resin on copper basis allows for conductive mounting, which is required for SEM examinations. Technovit 5000 is also a good basis for the electrolytic preparation of metallographic samples. Technovit 5000 remains viscous for approx. 1 minute and is (through light tapping of the mould) fully cured after 7 minutes.

Properties and application

• electrically conductive
• electrolytic specimen preparation
• color: copper brown

Technovit® EPOX: Resin for porous materials

The system can be used for all types of material, however especially for porous materials, e.g. porous spray coatings or corrosion layers which are preferably embedded under vacuum. The vacuum impregnation effects the penetration of the mounting medium into even the finest cavities and stabilises porous materials optimally for further processing.

Technovit EPOX – an epoxy resin system Technovit EPOX is an epoxy resin system consisting of the “Technovit Epox Resin” component and either a fast hardener “Technovit Epox Hardener fast” or slower hardener “Technovit Epox Hardener regular”. By choosing the right hardener, the curing time, pot life and temperature stress can be influenced. The pot life of approx. 1 hour favours e.g. infiltration of porous materials – especially when applied under vacuum.

For optimum results, adhere to the precise, recommended mixing ratios. The Technovit EPOX components are mixed at a ratio of 2 parts “resin” to 1 part “hardener” and then poured. They cure within approx. 10 to 18 hours, depending on the applied curing component. The curing times can be influenced by storing the specimen in a heating cabinet or a refrigerator.

Application tips for processing of resins

• Always mix multi-component polymers homogenously – the correct mixing is the basis for optimum mounting.
• During mixing, avoid beating the dough as this introduces air into the resin, which might become trapped, forming bubbles.
• If required, mixing ratios may be adjusted slightly, however, this change may result in deviating temperature and curing time curve.
• The greater the volume of the powder/liquid mixture is, the higher the temperature produced during the polymerization process.
• To embed large specimens or fill larger areas, it is necessary to apply multiple layers. This is the only way to prevent excessive heat and keep shrinkage in the optimum range (Polymerization = exothermal reaction).
• Between work steps, it is necessary to allow the preceding layer to cool down completely (heat acts as a catalyst, too fast curing results in formation of bubbles).
• Higher temperatures accelerate the curing process, while low temperature slow it down.
• Specimens must always be clean and free of grease, contamination of the specimens can lead to faults during mounting.
• Always fully enclose the specimen in the mounting resin to guarantee that the specimen can be properly fixed during preparation.
• To prevent air bubbles in the lower area of the specimen, we recommend pouring a base layer before positioning the specimen in the mounting mould. This is particularly useful for the mounting of e.g. sheet metal spot welds and similar items.
• With multi-component resins, the specimen should be removed as long as the resin is still warm. This makes it easier to remove the specimen.
• As far as possible use small mounting moulds to keep the polymerization temperature low.
• Centre the specimen to ensure that it is fully encapsulated by the mounting compound.