EM-Tec UV curing SEM sample glue
EM-Tec UV curing SEM sample glue
deal for securely mounting awkwardly shaped samples on SEM stubs
Introduction
EM-Tec UV curing SEM sample glue has been especially developed for secure mounting of samples on SEM stubs. Samples such as grains, round objects, awkwardly shaped samples or samples with spikes are difficult to mount with tapes or double-sided carbon tabs. The EM-Tec UV curing glue offers an easy solution for mounting such samples. It is a viscous glue which allows for precise mounting and positioning the sample before the glue is cured with UV light. Can be easily cured in 1-2 minutes with a small flashlight which emits 395nm UV light. Normal thickness of the UV curing glue would be 1-2mm, maximum thickness would be 6mm with longer curing time. The EM-Tec UV curing glue offers a more secure and stable way of mounting samples compared to tapes or double sided carbon tabs. The sample processing time is only a few minutes; shorter than working with epoxy and no temperature increase compared to using hot melt glue. The EM-Tec UV curing glue can also be cured under the electron beam of the SEM, but only very small amounts and/or thin layers because of the reduced depth of penetration for electrons.
Benefits of the EM-Tec UV curing SEM sample glues:
- Solvent-free (VOC), reduces contamination in the SEM
- Ample working time until cured with UV light
- Very fast processing: Cures in 1-2 minutes under 395nm UV light
- Non-porous glue, no heating
- When UV glue is cured, the sample is stable
- High tilt is possible without sample drift
- Easy to store and easy to use
- Cured glue can be removed with solvents.
The EM-Tec UV curing SEM sample glue is not conductive. For SEM imaging in a high vacuum SEM, non-conductive samples need to be carbon or metal coated (gold sputtering). For conductive samples a grounding path from SEM stub to sample should be made with the EM-Tec C32 water based graphene carbon paint.
The EM-Tec UV curing glue is available in two varieties:
Tec UV1 UV curing glue with a viscosity of around 1000 mPas , supplied in a 10ml plastic drop bottle. A droplet of the glue can be easily placed on an SEM stub and the sample can be placed on/in the droplet.
EM-Tec UV2 UV curing paste with a viscosity of around 2000 mPas , supplied in a 5ml plastic container. This UV curing paste is best applied with a wooden pick or small spatula. The paste is more suited for larger samples and/or samples which should only be lightly pressed into the glue.
Sample preparation protocol:
- Select am SEM sample stub according to SEM and sample size
- Clean SEM sample stub and rough up surface
- Place a droplet of UV curing glue on the SEM sample stub
- Position the sample on the glue using tweezers
- Use an UV flashlight with 395 nm UV to cure the glue for 1-2 minutes
- Illuminate the sample on all sides – curing time depends on amount of glue
- Make grounding from SEM stub to sample using EM-Tec C32 graphene carbon paint
- For non-conductive samples: coat sample in a carbon evaporator or sputter coater
- Observe sample with SEM/EDS
The sample can be removed from the cured UV curing glue mechanically. For non-destructive removal of the sample, the EM-Tec UV curing glue can softened in solvent until it crumbles. Suitable solvents and or mixtures could be Acetone, MEK, Hexane or Dichloromethane. An environment-friendly option, but with longer exposure time, would be Ethyl acetate.
Ordering information for EM-Tec UV curing SEM sample glues
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