Hi Victor-

The laminate doesn't swell significantly.

The problem is that when you go over about 50X optically, the depth of field becomes too small to get a clear image. There is at least one company who automatically creates a focused composite image from a motorized stage microscope, but I don't think you want to buy one (big $$). SEM doesn't have that problem.

Wayne

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2017 8:22 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] PWB Laminate Swelling

Fellow TechNetters:

   Does PWB laminae swell during the cross sectioning process on an encapsulated mount?   During a 100x Optical inspection of the glass weave cloth I get a blur image.   I get a sharp image of the glass cloth in the SEM.   I can even count the individual rods and measure their diameters.

Victor,