Metallography & Petrography

The information provided above is valid for both metallographic and petrographic microstructure examination by incident light microscopy. In petrography it is possible to prepare thin sections (transparent sections) so that specimens can be examined by transmitted light microscopy. Examination by electron microscopy (SEM or TEM) is also possible.

The equipment and consumables for preparing specimens of specific materials, are carefully selected by using a host of criteria, the main of which are listed below:

• Type, hardness and composition of the material (e.g. synthetic, ceramic, refractory, metals, alloys, heat treatment applied, mechanical properties, etc.).
• Volume of specimen production (i.e. specimens per day).
• Type of examination (e.g. hardness testing, transmitted light microscopy, electron microscopy, chemical etching, etc.)

History:

Buehler Limited was founded and incorporated in 1936 by Adolph I. Buehler, a Swiss immigrant who saw a need for metallographic sample preparation equipment and optical inspection instruments for the steel and automotive industries in the Midwest USA. Starting with a product line consisting of optical inspection instruments, a mounting press and a polisher, seventy years later Buehler is well established as the world’s leading supplier of materials preparation and analysis instruments, equipment, consumable supplies and application solutions.

  
Originally based in Chicago, IL, Buehler moved to a facility in Evanston, IL in 1954. As the Company continued to grow, in 1981 Buehler moved to its present 150,000 sq. ft. headquarter facility in Lake Bluff, IL.  Buehler has been an active exporter for much of its history and has more than 40 years experience operating in Asia and Europe.

Apart from R&D work, Buehler is actively supporting customers who wish to receive instructions and assistance in their routine metallographic or petrographic specimen preparation work. Besides, Buehler also organizes educational activities for customers, in selected venues.

Disciplines in industry and research using Buehler equipment and consumables (indicatively):

• Electronics and optics
• Geology, Mineralogy
• Electron microscopy
• Air & Space Industry
• Automotive Industry
• Medical devices and materials
• Biology/Medicine/Dentistry
• Ceramics & Refractory materials Industry
• Ordnance Industry
• Education
• Energy Industry
• Heat processing
• Non-metals Industry
• Metal production Industry
• Research and materials testing
• Welding

Consumables:

It is worth noting here that Buehler’s consumables are the result of long-term research and experience. Buehler’s metallography/petrography consumables (sectioning discs and blades, grinding papers, polishing cloths, powders, slurries, pastes and extenders, hot and cold mounting resins, etc.) are highly specialized products of extremely high quality and endurance, so that they last much longer and produce much better results than other currently available materials on the market.