Ion milling is a highly effective sample preparation technique that provides professionals across various industries and academic fields with valuable insights into complex microscale structures, compositions, and material interactions.
This article presents an expert perspective on this advanced method from Robert Steffen, Applications Manager at Hitachi High-Tech Europe.
Ion Milling System
An Ion Milling system is a device that directs a concentrated beam of ionized argon atoms toward a sample, effectively removing material in a manner akin to sandblasting.
An Ion Milling system, such as Hitachi’s ArBlade 5000, aims to produce a well-polished surface that surpasses the quality achievable with conventional mechanical polishing techniques.
This method enables the analysis of grain and layer structures and facilitates EBSD analysis with optimal indexing rates.
Additionally, it allows for the direct preparation of cross-sections through thin samples without introducing chemical distortion. Unlike traditional mechanical methods, such as cutting, this approach preserves the material in its natural undisturbed state, revealing the specimen’s true characteristics.
Benefits of the ArBlade 5000
The primary advantage is the superior cross-section and sample surface preparation quality that cannot be achieved through classical methods. It requires minimal learning and effort within a reasonable timeframe.
The ArBlade 5000 is advantageous for any sector or industry that requires internal examination of specimens to study their nature and production processes. Its benefits extend to a wide range of applications, as argon ion milling prepares cross-sections without the risk of mechanical damage during preparation.
This instrument is valuable for professionals working with lithium-ion batteries, who must section cathodes and assess layer thickness, compaction ratios, and mixing uniformity.
It also benefits the coating industry, which must evaluate film adhesion and homogeneity. In summary, the ArBlade 5000 is an essential tool for anyone seeking to investigate a sample's internal features.
Image Credit: Hitachi High-Tech Europe
Comparison with Other Market Competitors
The ArBlade 5000 is an exceptionally powerful machine. Its single-ion gun design ensures maintenance efficiency, allowing users to perform routine maintenance without specialized servicing. Rather than replacing the entire gun, individual components can be replaced based on their wear and tear.
he system offers ultra-wide cross-sectioning capabilities, with consistent quality maintained across the entire width of the cross-section due to a continuous overlay of anti-curtaining swing and lateral shift. Users can perform cross-sectioning with precisely defined widths as needed.
Additionally, the ArBlade 5000 features a variety of optional accessories that enhance usability. It includes a multi-sample holder for those requiring routine cross-sectioning, enabling the processing of up to three samples simultaneously. Dedicated cryo capabilities are also available for heat-sensitive samples, such as polymer fuel cells or paper polymer coatings.
The ArBlade 5000 boasts flat milling capabilities for surface polishing. Furthermore, it includes the largest sample stage in the industry, accommodating samples up to 50mm wide and 25mm tall, with external processing options available.
Notably, it can operate at the lowest acceleration voltages, even below 1kV, using the same ion gun, facilitating optimal preparation for EBSD analysis on soft materials in a single process step.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Hitachi High-Tech Europe.
For more information on this source, please visit Hitachi High-Tech Europe.