Preparation of stainless steel gilded samples
Ultra-small gold-plated stainless steel tubes (4mm × 0.55mm) combine the high strength, wear resistance and excellent air tightness of stainless steel with the low impedance, oxidation resistance and good solderability of gold plating. Widely used in precision electronics, optical communication, medical devices and RF connectors, these micro components serve for precision signal transmission and micro-sealing conduction, delivering long-term anti-corrosion performance for high-end miniaturized equipment.
Due to tiny diameter, ultra-thin wall and soft gold coating, specimen preparation is extremely challenging. Common issues include deformation and coating chipping during cutting, plastic smearing, scratches and relief effect during grinding & polishing, as well as gaps and coating peeling after mounting, which lead to inaccurate coating thickness measurement and distorted microstructure.
Here is our optimized workflow: Low-speed wet precision cutting minimizes thermal deformation. Low-shrinkage vacuum cold mounting secures samples firmly. Gradient fine grinding plus gentle vibratory polishing eliminates scratches and smearing. Mild acid etching for a short duration clearly reveals the interface between gold coating and substrate, ensuring reliable metallographic analysis.
Preparation Parameters
● Grinding: MET-SP P600 to P4000
● Fine polishing: SC + 1μm PD-WT SC cloth + 1μm PD-WT suspension
● Final polishing: ZN cloth + 50nm SO-439 suspension
