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The application of optical microscopy to studies of dust filtration: II. Specimen preparation techniques for analysing the distribution of dusts in filter fabrics
Author(s) -
Rothwell E.,
Bickham D. R.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1976.tb01092.x
Subject(s) - materials science , filtration (mathematics) , composite material , filter (signal processing) , condenser (optics) , sedimentation , optics , geology , paleontology , light source , statistics , physics , mathematics , sediment , computer science , computer vision
SUMMARY Microscopic examination of dust cakes supported on filter fabrics is limited by difficulties in preparing useful sections by impregnating in cold setting resins; cake movement and sedimentation of dust particles result in sections which are not representative of the initial materials. An evaporator‐condenser assembly has been designed to enable sections to be prepared in which the fibres and dust particles are retained in their initial locations. Specimens of dust cakes supported on filter fabrics are placed in a thermal gradient in this assembly and a volatile monomer is condensed from the vapour phase on to dust particles and fibres of the fabrics. In situ polymerization effectively cements individual dust particles to each other and to the supporting fabric. After this treatment, specimens are vacuum impregnated in cold setting resin and sectioned by established techniques.