Crushing
Picture: C.S Cojocaru, IPCMS, Strasbourg
Crushing technique is used to produce electron transparent fragments of bulk and brittle material, or to separate agglomerate powder, fibers, platelets, etc..
Crushing is done in an agate mortar, between two microscope glass slides, in a ball-impact grinder, etc. , in dry condition or with addition of distilled water or solvant such as ethanol, isopropanol, etc..
The fragment are then collected on a coated (carbon film, holley carbon film, …) TEM grid.