Precision Surfaces International

Diamond Lapping Film

PSI Diamond Lapping Film, manufactured by the 3M Company, is the most innovative product available to the metallographer in many years. Originally developed for audio/video reading head polishing, it is now available in configurations to fit popular metallurgical lab equipment. It's ability to polish the most difficult hard and mixed hardness materials quickly, without pull-out and with incredible flatness, makes Diamond Lapping Film a product metallographers with difficult materials must investigate.

PSI Diamond Lapping Film is available in 3 specifications and 9 micron grades. All share a precision 3 mil polyester backing, color coded for easy grade identification. The three types differ in the method used to secure the diamonds particles to the polyester film backing.

PSI Diamond Lapping Film Type A is a single layer of the specified grade diamond particles resin bonded to the film backing. Type A is excellent for polishing applications where very little material removal is required. It will have a shorter life than the other two types, but gives a better finish grade for grade. Current applications include TEM sample preparation, printed circuit board failure analysis and aerospace composite materials.

PSI Diamond Film Type B consists of diamond particles encapsulated in small soft ceramic beads, which are then resin coated to the polyester film backing. This results in a longer lasting, more aggressive product than the Type A product. As the ceramic beads wear, fresh diamond particles are exposed to work on the specimen surface. Successful applications include tungsten carbide specimen preparation, dental materials research, nickel base super alloys, high speed tool steel and others.

PSI Diamond Lapping Film Type P shares characteristics with both Type A and Type B. Type P consists of diamond particles directly bonded to the polyester film with a very hard resin. This results in a product which works aggressively due to the large particle size, but because of the harder resin, exhibits a long life. Diamond Lapping Film Type P is used for fine grinding and flattening prior to use of the other products.

The learning curve of Diamond Lapping Film is somewhat steep, but the rewards are dramatic. Difficult specimens can be processed by hand in a few minutes. Particle pull out is eliminated because the diamond cuts everything equally. Place your specimen on the metallograph and track across the prepared surface with no change in focus. All edges are sharp with no rounding.

To facilitate your trials of this product, PSI offers individual discs and sheets for your evaluation. If these products, or any products you purchase from PSI, fail to perform satisfactorily, let us know and we will refund your money. Contact us and we will be pleased to discuss PSI Diamond Lapping Film with you.