I work in a metallographic laboratory and use metallographic sandpaper every day, both domestically produced and imported, coarse and fine, with and without adhesive. I have been engaged in metallographic analysis for over 20 years, but what kind of metallographic sandpaper has not been used? Although they all look similar in appearance, there are still significant differences in the user experience between some domestic and imported metallographic sandpaper, especially the American QMAXIS metallographic sandpaper, which is also one of the metallographic sandpaper I use more frequently. The comparison experience between the two is even stronger.

Experience 1: Differences in texture

Perhaps you have become accustomed to using imported metallographic sandpaper similar to those imported from the United States, and are accustomed to its standard external dimensions, moderate thickness, and a texture of neatly arranged and dense grinding particles; And I did not notice the light, thin, uneven and uneven appearance of some domestic metallographic sandpaper.

Experience 2: Differences in Grinding, Polishing, and Grinding Marks

Observing under a microscope, you will find that the grinding marks of imported metallographic sandpaper from the United States are clearer, with alternating and overlapping grinding marks, presenting a three-dimensional morphology. However, some domestically produced metallographic sandpaper has varying depths and sizes of grinding marks, which appear to be on a flat surface and cannot present a clear three-dimensional morphology. In this case, the grinding marks are more planar, and the depth of the deformation layer of the sample will increase exponentially, making it difficult to grind an ideal metallographic analysis surface. Compared to this metallographic sandpaper, grinding is more time-consuming and labor-intensive, and the effect is not very ideal.

Experience 3: Different degrees of bonding between grinding particles

During the process of using metallographic sandpaper for grinding and polishing, some domestically produced metallographic sandpaper may exhibit the phenomenon of particles easily falling off, resulting in uneven surface of the metallographic sandpaper and uneven force on the surface of the sample, which directly affects the grinding effect; If encountering softer and more ductile metallographic specimens, embedding may also occur. This is mainly due to the poor quality of the binder for metallographic sandpaper and the poor bonding process, which directly affects the quality of metallographic sandpaper.

And imported sandpaper such as metallographic sandpaper imported from the United States rarely encounters this situation, and the imported metallographic sandpaper I have used has not encountered this situation yet.

The above points are a comparison of the experience of using American QMAXIS metallographic sandpaper compared to some domestic metallographic sandpaper. From this, it can be seen that our domestically produced metallographic sandpaper manufacturing process still has a long way to go. We need manufacturers engaged in metallographic sample making, grinding, and consumable manufacturing to recognize that our manufacturing process needs continuous improvement. We are willing to invest effort and cost in technological innovation for process improvement, strive to improve product quality, and gradually narrow the gap with high-end similar products abroad. I believe that one day, it will be a matter of pride for foreigners to also use our Chinese made metallographic sandpaper.

Bless all my friends, 2018 Xiangou Chi Jin, everything is updated, do my best, and share peace with the country!