Geochempet Services has a full-service sample preparation laboratory with experienced technicians and fast turnaround. Our services include 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, polished core preparation, as well as other sample preparations. Thin sections are very thin slices of rock (usually 0.03 mm thick) mounted on a glass slide, allowing for the transmission of light and detailed observation of the rock fabric and mineral optical properties in a petrographic microscope.
Geochempet has worked on samples from clients all around the world including Japan, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Africa, America and Canada. We have prepared extraterrestrial samples from meteorites, delicate but exquisitely preserved fossils, and tiny chips of prehistoric rock paintings. Thin sections are prepared both for Geochempet’s in-house petrographic analysis and for direct use by clients in their own investigations.
Our team understand that samples are often unique and expensive to obtain, and samples are treated with care and respect accordingly.
Thin sections are prepared on glass slides that are usually 75 × 25 mm although other sizes are possible, and cut from billets that are about 65 × 25 × 20 mm. The billets are cut directly from solid rock or concrete samples. We also prepare them from sand, soil or fragile samples by impregnating the sample with and embedding it in a block of epoxy resin.
Geochempet’s Thin Section Services include:
- Standard Thin Section (with cover slip).
- Polished Thin Section (no cover slip).
- Epoxy Resin Mounts of Grains and Rock Chips (usually 25 mm diameter circular).
- Sample Preparation including cutting and polishing of core sections and rock slabs.