[meteorite-list] Refraction and cutting solvents

From: starsandscopes at aol.com <starsandscopes_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2010 16:31:01 EST
Message-ID: <ae8e.60f6b67d.38838a15_at_aol.com>

Hi Paul, I am not aware of any change to optical properties of material
due to lubricants but with the more advanced testing watch out.

I had some material that I polished with a diamond slurry to 1/4 micron.
I sent some to a respected researcher that I occasionally consult (he
helps me out a lot!). The sample was analyzed on a Raman Spectrometer and
found to contain carbon. As this material was (kind of) unique and produced an
odor when cutting or polishing, I naturally figured it was carbonaceous.
I circulated that information and wound up quite embarrassed when it turned
out to be an OC. It appears the diamond slurry was an oil base that
changed the spectrometer signature.

I think the proper solvent wash would of prevent this but I didn't think
of it so I never washed the sample or told my friend what I had used in the
sample preparation.

Tom Phillips

In a message dated 1/16/2010 2:15:02 P.M. Mountain Standard Time,
pgspears at cox.net writes:
Hi, Listees:
Has anyone found a negative effect on slices or thin sections caused by
using a lapidary cutting solvent, distilled water, alcohol, mineral oil,
or
any other coolant in the cutting and polishing of meteorites, assuming
prudent care is exercised by cleaning and drying the slices afterward? Do
any of them cause a change in the refraction of light in thin sections?

Your comments and suggestions will be appreciated as learning by trial and
error is not my favorite way to get an education! The tuition is way too
high!
Regards to all,
Paul G. Spears
IMCA #3272



______________________________________________
Visit the Archives at
http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html
Meteorite-list mailing list
Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Received on Sat 16 Jan 2010 04:31:01 PM PST