Thin Section and Sample Preparation

Trilab is a full-service sample preparation laboratory with experienced technicians and fast turnaround.

Thin sections are ~30 µm (~0.03 mm) thick slices of rock, concrete, mortar, or other materials that are mounted to a glass microscope slide with epoxy resin and finished with a glass coverslip.Thin sections allow light to pass through the material under a polarising microscope allowing petrographic analysis of the materials to be undertaken.

Trilab’s thin sections services include, but not limited to, preparation of standard covered thin sections for transmitted-light microscopy and of uncovered polished sections for reflected light microscopy on both natural and manufactured materials. We also provide polished core preparation and cutting of billets directly from solid rock or concrete samples.

We have worked on samples from all around the world including Japan, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Africa, United States of America and Canada. This technical work to produce thin sections has previously included rock samples obtained from meteorites, preserved fossils, and tiny chips of prehistoric rock paintings, as well as electronic and project development applications used to evaluate product design to ensure products meet standards.

Our laboratory technicians are highly experienced in handling samples and sample preparation. Our team handle client samples with care, recognising that samples are often very rare and expensive.

Thin Sections

Thin Section Services

 

Thin section services include:

  • Standard thin section (with cover slip).

  • Polished thin section (no cover slip).

  • Resin grain mounts (usually 25 mm diameter circular).

  • Impregnation of sand, soil or fragile samples with epoxy resin.

  • Sample preparation including cutting and polishing of core sections and rock slabs.

 

Technical Specifications

  • Thin sections are prepared on glass slides that are usually 75 × 25 mm.

  • Billets are cut to approximately 65 × 25 × 20 mm.