Compression Mounting Powder and Pre Molds
Save Time in Your Hot Mounting Process
Compression Mounting
Compression (hot) mounting compounds utilize heat and pressure to encapsulate a specimen and turn them into a flat and uniform mount with your sample inside. Buehler’s compression mounting compounds minimize shrinkage while protecting and preserving sample edges during the preparation process, and are here to meet your sample preparation needs faster and easier.
Clean Set-Up and Increased Throughput
Increase your throughput and enhance your quality of material preparation with Buehler’s compression mounting compounds. Save time and maximize cleanliness in your process.
Excellent Edge Retention
Choose Buehler’s EpoMet media to achieve excellent penetration and edge retention.
General Purpose Compounds
PhenoCure®
PhenoCure® LP
PhenoCure Pre mold
Specialty Compounds
EpoMet® G (Granular)
EpoMet® F (Fine)
ProbeMet®
KonductoMet®
Diallyl Phthalate
TransOptic
A transparent thermoplastic acrylic to easily extract the specimen from the mount with reheating. A special cooling cycle is needed and available with our SimpliMet® 4000.
Compression Compound Selection Guide
When selecting a compression mounting compound, the abrasion resistance of the material, conductivity requirements, further analysis needs and clarity level should be taken into consideration. Explore Buehler products that meet your needs for throughput, edge retention, and more.
Ordering
| Compression Mounting Systems | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| PhenoCure | |||
| Size | Black | Red | Green |
| 5lbs [2.3kg] | 20-3100-080 | 20-3200-080 | 20-3300-080 |
| 25lbs [11.3kg] | 20-3100-400 | 20-3200-400 | 20-3300-400 |
| 40lbs [18.1kg] | 20-3100-400 | 20-3200-400 | 20-3300-400 |
| PhenoCure Pre Mold | |||
| Size | Black | Red | Green |
| 1in [25mm] | 20-3111-501 | ||
| 1.25in [32mm] | 20-3112-501 | 20-3212-501 | 20-3312-501 |
| 1.5in [38mm] | 20-3113-501 | 20-3213-501 | 20-3313-501 |
| 1.75in [45mm] | 20-10090 | ||
| PhenoCure LP | |||
| Size | Green | ||
| 5lbs [2.3kg] | 20-6100-080 | ||
| 25lbs [11.3kg] | 20-6100-400 | ||
| 40lbs [18.1kg] | 20-6100-500 | ||
| Specialty Compounds | |
|---|---|
|
EpoMet G (Granular)
|
|
| A mineral filled epoxy thermoset with excellent edge retention for mounting hard materials. | |
| Part Number | Size |
| 4lbs [1.8kg] | 20-3380-064 |
| 10lbs [4.5kg] | 20-3380-160 |
| 25lbs [11.3kg] | 20-3380-400 |
| 40lbs [18.1kg] | 20-3380-500 |
|
EpoMet F (Fine)
|
|
| A filled thermoset resin recommended for mounting moderately hard materials. Choose glass filled for etching or mineral filled for better abrasion resistance. | |
| Part Number | Size |
| 4lbs [1.8kg] | 20-3381-070 |
| 10lbs [4.5kg] | 20-3381-160 |
| 25lbs [11.3kg] | 20-3381-400 |
|
Diallyl Phthalate
|
|
| A mineral filled epoxy thermoset with fine particles and excellent edge retention for mounting hard materials with complex geometries. | |
| Description | Size |
| Mineral Filled, 5lbs [2.3kg] | 20-3330-080 |
| Glass Filled, 5lbs [2.3kg] | 20-3340-080 |
|
TransOptic
|
|
| A transparent thermoplastic acrylic that allows the user to easily extract the specimen from the mount with reheating. Requires a special cooling cycle available on the SimpliMet® 4000. | |
| Description | Size |
| 5lbs [2.3kg] | 20-3400-080 |
|
ProbMet
|
|
| A copper and mineral filled phenolic thermoset recommended for SEM analysis of specimens when copper is not the object of analysis. Note: Can cause a Cu-Al galvanic corrosion on aluminum specimen. | |
| Description | Size |
| 4lbs [1.8kg] | 20-3385-064 |
|
KonductoMet
|
|
| A graphite and mineral filled phenolic thermoset recommended for SEM analysis of specimens when ProbeMet is not suitable. | |
| Description | Size |
| 1lbs [0.45kg] | 20-3375-016 |
| 25lbs [11.3kg] | 20-3375-400 |
Accessories
Related Consumables
Product Literature
Compression Mounting Tips & Tricks
- Gaps between the mounting compound and sample are related to differences in expansion coefficient and ability of the media to adhere to the sample. Use of a slightly lower molding temperature and fully cooling under pressure will reduce shrinking with most mounting compounds.
- Circumferential splitting results from formation of gases in the media during molding. This may be caused by absorbed moisture. Ensure storage of media is in a cool, dry place. Use pre-load settings to assist in release of gases while media is in the liquid state.
- Radial splitting of mounts is often caused by sharp edges on the sample or by samples that are too large for the mold. Round off sharp corners and move specimen farther from the edge of the mount.
- Bulging or soft mounts are caused by insufficient time at temperature. Increase the cure time.
- Unfused mounts may have a frosted appearance, this is caused by insufficient molding pressure or time at temperature.
- Lack of clarity, “cotton balling”, in TransOptic is caused by a failure to reach proper molding temperature or insufficient time at temperature. Crazing in TransOptic is caused by insufficient or too rapid cooling. Increase cooling time, use thermoplastic cooling settings (available on SimpliMet 4000).
Frequently Asked Questions
When do you recommend compression mounting systems over castable mounting systems?
Compression Mounting is the preferred method for processing a high volume of samples that are not susceptible to heat or pressure. To optimize your mounting process, start with our guide.
When would someone prefer specialty compounds over general purpose compounds?
Choosing a compression mounting media depends on the sample type and demands of the application. When you need excellent penetration and edge retention, specialty compounds deliver the highest quality samples. To learn more, please visit our compression mounting guide.
How do I calculate mounting media?
To optimize your mounting media usage, please use our Mounting Media Calculator.
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