The BGS Thin Sectioning Service (TSS) provides a first class service to anyone with a need for thin sections. The Thin Sectioning Laboratories operate out of a modern state of the art facility which houses an impressive range of machinery. This is operated by staff with many years experience in all aspects of thin section production.
In addition to routine sample processing, the TSS can produce thin sections from materials traditionally considered as technically difficult. Environmentally sensitive and / or hazardous samples can also be processed. The TSS laboratory is fully equipped to enable production of thin sections from such materials, in a safe and environmentally responsible way.
An example of Olivine.
An example of Scapolite.
Products
A wide range of thin section types is offered that includes:
Standard cover-slipped thin sections for use in transmitted light microscopy. These may also be stained for K- feldspar and / or dual carbonates, if required.
Polished thin sections for use, for example, in SEM / Microprobe analysis.
Blue resin vacuum impregnated thin sections that reveal permeability / porosity and may be used in image analysis systems.
Fluid inclusion wafers.
Polished wafers for use in laser ablation and micro-drilling techniques.
Loose grain thin sections (cover-slipped or polished).
Large area soil thin sections that retain the original micromorphology of water saturated sediments.
Transmitted Electron Microscope wafers.
Customer baseCustomers from a wide range of industrial and educational establishments that use the TSS include:
In-house NERC scientific staff.
Oil exploration companies.
Universities and other higher education establishments – especially those researching and teaching Earth Science subjects and Archaeology.
Forensic science establishments.
Construction companies.(for brick, stone, concrete and aggregate thin sections).
Building Heritage Conservationists.
The customer base is worldwide and formed from staff who expect and receive only the finest quality thin sections to compliment their investigations. All thin sections that are produced are subjected to a rigorous quality control procedure.
For more information or to discuss your requirements please contact:
John Fletcher
British Geological Survey
Keyworth
Nottingham NG12 5GG Tel. 0115 936 3502
