Alejandro, Overplating samples prior to encapsulation is a common metallographic laboratory practice. The choice of plating is dependent on the sample. You should try to choose an overplate with a contrasting color and of similar hardness to the samples being sectioned. We have used both electroless nickel and alkaline copper strike plating baths depending upon the base material and plating being evaluated. You can use proprietary baths or mix your own, depending upon your laboratory facilities. The Metal Finishing Guidebook and Directory is a good source of plating bath formulations. It does sound as though you may want to evaluate your mounting compound. Even with overplating, if the mounting material does not exhibit good adhesion to the sample there will be difficulties in sample preparation. A slow cure, low shrinkage mounting material should not pull away from the samples being sectioned and may be advisable in your case. Also, be sure the samples are clean prior to mounting. There are several references on metallographic laboratory practice listed in the notes section (6.5) of IPC-TM-650, Method 2..1.1, Rev. D which is available for download from the IPC web site. You might want to review them as well. Hope this helps. -- Brian McCrory Delsen Testing Laboratories, Inc. 1024 Grand Central Ave. Glendale, CA 91201 Phone: 818 247 4106 FAX: 818 247 4537 email: [log in to unmask] URL: http://www.delsen.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d 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 delivery of Technet send the following message: SET Technet NOMAIL Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases > E-mail Archives Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------