Why is Mounting Important?

- Fragile or porous samples, well protected by mounting
- Coating and layer thickness measurement, where sample edges need to be protected so that realistic results can be obtained
- Samples too small or oddly shaped for grinding/polishing and hardness testing (low load/micro hardness)
-  Samples can be better preserved and inspected
 
What are metallographic MOUNTING Methods?

Hot Mounting (Compression Mounting)
Hot Mounting mounts the sample in resin by high temperature (140-180°C) and high pressure (100-300 Bar). It provides excellent edge retention to protect and preserve edges during preparation. Hot mounting is the method of choice for handling large numbers of samples that are not susceptible to heat or pressure.

Cold Mounting (Castable Mounting)
Epoxy resin and acrylic cold mounting system, by mixing resin and hardener, poured on the sample, so as to avoid damage to the sample by high temperature and pressure. A variety of products are available to meet varying needs for hardness, edge retention and cure time. Cold mounting is recommended for samples that can be damaged by high temperature or pressure and for metallographic laboratories handling small quantities of samples.