Diamond Suspensions – Reproducible Polishing Aligned with Material, Cloth, and Base

Diamond suspensions for metallography: defined grit sizes, suitable crystal type, and the right base. We deliver stable removal rates, clean micrographs, and reliable process times – from pre‑polishing to final polishing. Mono- or polycrystalline, water-, alcohol-, or oil‑based: you choose, we supply to match your workflow.

Why Diamond Suspension?

• Precisely dosable: consistent concentration, uniform particle distribution.
• Reproducible: stable removal rates across the entire batch.
• Process-safe: coordinated combination with lubricants and polishing cloths.
• Flexible: choice of base for corrosion‑critical and water‑sensitive materials.
• Economical: low losses, good storage stability in routine operation.

Grit Size and Application

• 15–9 µm: pre‑polishing or lapping (if required) — fast stock removal, clean preparation for polishing.
• 6–3 µm: industry‑standard polishing — robust, reproducible, process‑safe.
• 1–0.25 µm: fine polishing — scratch‑free as target, microscopically stable surface.
• 0.04 µm: final polish — usually chemo‑mechanical with OPS or alumina slurry.

Crystal Type – Monocrystalline or Polycrystalline?

• Monocrystalline: controlled cutting action, gentle on sensitive alloys.
• Polycrystalline: active self‑sharpening, high removal rate for series and routine work.

Choice of Base

• Water‑based: the standard in metallography; easy cleaning.
• Alcohol‑based: for water‑sensitive materials such as zinc coatings or magnesium. Higher removal due to thinner lubricating film.
• Oil‑based: industrial polishing of tools or parts to be coated, typically with fast‑rotating tools.

Material Suitability (Selection)

• Steels (low‑ to high‑alloy), non‑ferrous metals, hard metals, ceramics, gray cast iron with lamellar graphite. We match crystal type, grit, and base to the material and polishing cloth.

Sizes, Concentrations, Availability

• We are a manufacturer. Therefore, we produce diamond suspensions in defined grits, bases, and concentrations — reproducible, batch‑secure, and quickly available.
• Container sizes: from 500 mL (polycrystalline), from 1000 mL (monocrystalline); 5‑liter containers with 20% price advantage.
• Grits: 50, 25, 15, 9, 6, 3, 1, 0.25, 0.125, 0.05 µm. Additional intermediate sizes possible.
• Concentrations: standard 50 cts/L (metallography). On request we produce up to 500 cts/L — e.g., for industrial lapping/polishing with diamond concentrates or optical industry applications.
• Customization: viscosity and concentration can be tailored — matched to material, cloth, machine, and cycle time.
• Price/performance logic: we price diamond suspensions and sprays strictly by diamond content — making us by far the most cost‑effective.
• Two‑in‑One option: 25 cts/L for users who want to combine suspension and lubrication.
• We generally do not produce concentrations below 25 carats per liter. This keeps polishing times/removal rates short and results reproducible.
• Competitor analysis: Currently using a suspension with unknown concentration (competitor product)? We can analytically determine the diamond content and provide an equivalent or optimized formulation.

Practical Guide – From Pre‑Polish to Final Polish

1. Pre‑polishing (15–9 µm, optional lapping; alternatively 6–3 µm depending on material): remove grinding marks, reduce deformation zone.
2. Intermediate/polishing stages (6–3 µm): industry standard – reproducible removal, clear scratch pattern.
3. Fine polishing (1–0.25 µm): achieve scratch‑free surface, stabilize image quality.
4. Final polish (0.04 µm OPS/alumina slurry): chemo‑mechanical finishing.

Compatibility and System

• Polishing cloths: select by grit and material (e.g., synthetic fabrics for diamond stages) — see Polishing Cloths.
• Lubricants: water/alcohol/oil‑compatible; adjust flow and wetting to the suspension — see Lubricant.
• Polishing machines: standard‑compatible (manual/automatic).

Comparison: Suspension, Paste, Spray

• Suspension: flexible and economical for daily lab use.
• Paste: quick to apply, highly concentrated e.g., for mobile component metallography — see Diamond Paste.
• Spray: comfortable, fine distribution for special cases — see Diamond Spray.

Reference – Grit in µm (Quick Overview)

• 50/25/15/9 µm – coarse to medium pre‑polish/preparation
• 6/3 µm – industry‑standard polish
• 1/0.25/0.125/0.05 µm – fine polish to ultra‑finish
• 0.04 µm (OPS/alumina slurry) – final polish

Quality Assurance & Manufacturing

• IDA origin, >50 years of experience in diamond polishing media.
• Testing: light microscopy, particle analysis, SEM.
• Consistent grain size ranges, defined concentrations.

Storage

• 15–25 °C, protected from light.
• Unopened: > 24 months.
• After opening: close tightly; shake before use.

FAQ: Diamond Suspension

1. Which diamond type should I choose — poly or mono?
   • Polycrystalline: glass, ceramics, sapphire, hard metals. High removal rate, self‑sharpening.
   • Monocrystalline: everything else (steels, non‑ferrous metals, alloys). Gentle on material, controlled scratch pattern.
2. Which base makes sense?
   • Dosing system/spray automaton: spray‑automaton variant.
   • Manual dosing: standard water base.
   • Water‑sensitive (galvanized, Zn die cast, Mg alloys): alcohol base.
   • Oil base: industrial polishing of tools/molds with fast‑rotating tools; practically not used in metallography.
3. Which concentration?
   • 50 cts/L is our standard — a lot of carats at a fair price.
   • Two‑in‑One: 25 cts/L when suspension and lubrication should be combined.
   • We do not produce lower concentrations — this keeps polishing times/removal short and results reproducible.
4. How long per polishing stage?
   • Rule of thumb: each stage is complete after 2.5 minutes at the latest. Exceptions: ceramics, strongly smearing materials.
5. Typical scratch causes?
   • Microstructure breakouts, brittle surface layers (nitriding, scale, corrosion).
   • Gap between specimen and mount; introduced coarse particles.
   • Insufficient cleaning: thoroughly clean sample, holder, and platen after each stage change.
6. Special requests?
   • Yes. We adjust viscosity and concentration; intermediate grits possible. High concentrations up to 500 cts/L available.
7. Unknown competitor concentration?
   • We determine the diamond content analytically and provide an equivalent/optimized formulation.

Complementary Products

• Lubricant
• Polishing Cloths
• Final Polishing Compounds / OPS / Alumina Slurries
• Diamond Paste
• Diamond Spray
• Diamond Powder

Consulting and Ordering

• Email: info@schmitz-metallographie.de
• Schmitz‑Metallographie GmbH