[meteorite-list] Refraction and cutting solvents

[starsandscopes at aol.com]

Hi Paul,  I am not aware of any change to  optical properties of material 
due to lubricants but with the more advanced  testing watch out.

I had some material that I polished with a diamond  slurry to 1/4 micron.  
I sent some to a respected researcher that I  occasionally consult  (he 
helps me out a lot!).  The sample was  analyzed on a Raman Spectrometer and 
found to contain carbon.  As this  material was (kind of) unique and produced an 
odor when cutting or polishing, I  naturally figured it was carbonaceous.  
I circulated that information and  wound up quite embarrassed when it turned 
out to be an OC.  It appears the  diamond slurry was an oil base that 
changed the spectrometer signature.

I  think the proper solvent wash would of prevent this but I didn't think 
of it so  I never washed the sample or told my friend what I had used in the 
sample  preparation.

Tom Phillips

In a message dated 1/16/2010 2:15:02  P.M. Mountain Standard Time, 
pgspears at cox.net writes:
Hi, Listees:
Has  anyone found a negative effect on slices or thin sections caused by 
using a  lapidary cutting solvent, distilled water, alcohol, mineral oil, 
or 
any  other coolant in the cutting and polishing of meteorites, assuming 
prudent  care is exercised by cleaning and drying the slices afterward?  Do 
any  of them cause a change in the refraction of light in thin sections?

Your  comments and suggestions will be appreciated as learning by trial and 
error  is not my favorite way to get an education!  The tuition is way too  
high!
Regards to all,
Paul G. Spears
IMCA  #3272



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