Ultramicrotomy

Ultramicrotomy is a special technique used in materials and component testing at Fraunhofer IMWS. This method involves making extremely thin cuts of components or material samples. By cutting the material into ultra-thin slices that are only a few micrometers thick, it is possible to examine the internal structure and properties of the material more closely.

Application of ultramicrotomy

Ultramicrotomy is frequently used in materials science and materials testing. It enables material samples to be prepared in very thin layers, which can then be examined under a microscope. This thin sectioning technique makes it possible to visualize microstructures, cracks, defects, or impurities in the material, for example.

Ultramicrotomy process

The ultramicrotomy process requires special equipment and expertise. First, the material is embedded in a solid matrix to keep it stable. The material is then cut into very thin slices using an ultramicrotome. These slices are then fixed to a carrier material, such as a glass slide. The sections produced can then be examined using various analysis methods. These include, for example, light microscopy, electron microscopy, or chemical analyses such as spectroscopy. By combining these different techniques, detailed information about the structure, composition, and properties of the material can be obtained.