[meteorite-list] Question About Petrographic Thin Section Problem

[Paul]

Dear Friends,

Recently, a friend of mine prepared three thin 
sections for me of some rock samples. However, 
about a week after he finished them, it was 
noticed that something had gone wrong with the 
epoxy, which was used to cement the rock billets 
to the glass slide. Over a period of a week, it 
had started crystallize causing numerous linear 
strings of crystals to form between the 0.3 micron 
layer of rock and the glass slide and clouding 
what should have been a clear cement. Needless 
to say, there is now nothing, which can done 
about these slides and as thin epoxy crystallizes, 
they will be a total loss. (Note: this is the 
second time a batch of this brand of epoxy has 
caused this problem.)

However, he noticed this problem right after he 
had glued another billet to the glass slide and 
before he done any trimming of the billet in 
preparation for grinding. Since the epoxy used
in mounting this slide will crystallize in time, 
we concluded that there was not any point in 
proceed any further with the preparation of 
this thin section.

Is there any way which I can remove the glass 
slide from the prepared billet in case of this 
sample? 

If I could, then I could grind off the epoxy 
cement, polish the billet, and glue it again to 
a glass slide and prepare a thin section using 
good epoxy, which will not crystallize. Getting 
the sample cost me considerable time and effort 
and would be difficult to recollect. Thus, 
finding a way to remove the glass slide, so I 
can prepare a thin section whose epoxy will not 
crystallize from this billet would be quite 
helpful. 

The sample consists of sandstone.

Any suggestions about how can remove the glass 
slide and start over with this sample would 
greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,

Paul


       
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