Buehler Demonstrates Innovations in Sample Preparation and Hardness Testing

At the IFHTSE Congress 2017 Buehler ITW Test & Measurement will be presenting new and enhanced products for sample preparation and fully automatic hardness measurement. Exhibits will include the new IsoMet® High Speed precision cutter along with SimpliMet™ 4000 mounting presses and the Wilson® VH3300 hardness tester.

One of the highlights at the IFHTSE Congress 2017 will be the new IsoMet™ High Speed bench-top precision cutters. These cutters are designed to section quickly, accurately and with high repeatability virtually any material from brittle or ductile materials right up to composites, ceramics and electronic components and biomaterials.

At the IFHTSE Congress 2017, held in Nice, France from 26 – 29 June, 2017, Buehler ITW Test & Measurement presented new and improved products from its extensive portfolio of equipment and consumables, from sample preparation to actual hardness measurement.  

New benchtop precision cutters

A major point of interest at the show was the new IsoMet™ High Speed precision cutters. Equipped with abrasive or diamond blades, these cutters section virtually any material from brittle or ductile metals through composites, ceramics and plastics right up to electronic components and biomaterials. Their outstanding features are high efficiency, a powerful motor and a highly precise and repeatable cutting action, even for delicate samples. The SmartCut™ automatic cutter feed was developed to minimise damage to the sample and to the cutter, resulting in an optimised sectioning process for all materials. Users moreover benefit from a clearly structured user interface and quick sample fastening. IsoMet™ High Speed models are therefore particularly suited to busy laboratories requiring highest quality standards.

Hardness and micro-hardness test systems

Further exhibits were the ergonomically optimised Series VH1100 hardness testers, available with varying levels of automation, and the DiaMet™ universal hardness testing software. Like the Series VH1100, the Wilson^® VH3300 micro-hardness testers also provide for high degrees of automation.

Fast, reliable mounting

In addition, Buehler showcased its fast and reliable SimpliMet™ 4000 mounting press for mounting of samples prior to grinding and polishing, designed specifically for demanding industrial applications. A novelty at the IFHTSE Congress 2017 was the fast-curing EpoKwick™ FC mounting compound, developed by Buehler to provide maximum quality in the preparation of materialographic samples. Curing within just two hours at ambient temperature, EpoKwick™ ensures that mounted samples are available for the next step in the process within the shortest possible time.

Further exhibits from the areas of grinding, polishing, sectioning and mounting of samples illustrate the breadth of Buehler's portfolio, covering applications from fundamental research right up to automated, process-related quality control. Buehler ITW Test & Measurement's product portfolio covers a variety of sectioning and precision sectioning machines adapted to specific applications, mounting presses with the associated epoxy and acrylic mounting compounds, grinding and polishing machines as well as Rockwell, Vickers/Knoop, Brinell and universal hardness testing systems.