Steve

Your list is quite complete for a start. 
- What I would buy  is a stereo Microscope. Firstly you get a lot of information by just looking at an electronic component or solder joint that way and secondly, in metallographic preparation of small specimen, it is very helpful to see how close you come to the point of interest while you grind. But this means that you have to use a transparent mounting mass. 
- Regarding the mix you have to go for a cold process otherwise you will flaten your specimen. We use Epofix of Struers. The resin needs 12h to harden and has enough time to penetrate into small cavities to fix the specimen mechanically before grinding and polishing.
- You don't need a series of wheels for the grinding. There are wheels where the paper is held down by air pressure and changing the paper is a matter of seconds. It's a different thing if you work with diamond pads. These are fixed with an adhesive. If you want to go this way use diamonds  fixed in a metallic matrix. Diamonds in organic films don't work well with solder (Smearing).

Best regards

Guenter





EMPA
Swiss Federal Laboratories  for Materials Testing and Research
Centre for Reliability
Guenter Grossmann,  Senior Engineer

8600 Duebendorf
Switzerland

Phone: xx41 1 823 4279
Fax :     xx41 1 823 4054
mail:     [log in to unmask]

---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------