Fact Sheet

Akasel Fact Sheets provide detailed, application-specific information on our metallographic consumables. Each fact sheet offers recommended preparation methods, material compatibility and product-specific tips to help you achieve optimal results. Explore the collection to find clear, practical guidance for efficient and reproducible sample preparation.

Hot Mounting Resin: Aka-Resin PP

Mounting resins that are non-hazardous and easy to handle, without compromising the quality of the mounts, are in increased demand. Our Aka-Resin PP is a dust-free, non-hazardous hot mounting resin. It is available in four colours defined by Akasel: black, green, orange and red.

Aka-Resin PP is an environmentally friendly, dust-free polypropylene resin in pellet form, specifically designed for use in metallurgical and materials laboratories. Its uniform pellets prevent breakdown during handling and filling, ensuring a dust-free experience that promotes a cleaner and safer work environment. As a universal hot mounting resin, it provides consistent performance across various applications, making it a reliable choice for laboratory professionals.

Available in four distinct colours black, green, orange and red, Aka-Resin PP allows for easy identification of working groups, shifts, or sample categorisation, enhancing organisation and efficiency. Its low environmental impact and safe handling properties make it an excellent alternative to traditional resins, aligning with modern sustainability and workplace safety standards.

Aka-Resin PP is characterised by:

  • Being dust-free
  • Cost efficiency
  • Universatility
  • Availability in four colours
 aka resin pp in four colours

Technical Information and Insights

Aka-Resin PP is a universal, mineral-filled thermoplastic, all-round resin that can be used for routine mounting. It can be used as a direct replacement for phenolic applications (not for Aka-Resin SEM, which contains a carbon filler, for conductivity) on its own or as a backfiller for when Aka-Resin Epoxy is used as a base for hard surfaces.

Key features of Aka-Resin PP:

  • Dust-free.
  • Non–hazardous. See section 3 from the SDS below:
SECTION 3: Composition/information on ingredients
3.1 – Substances
Product/substance Identifiers % w/w Classification Note
Formulated product does not contain any substances that are required to be listed in this section. CAS No.: 95-100%
  • Universal.
  • Due to the low specific gravity of Aka-Resin PP, more mounts are possible per kg of material. Compared to Aka-Resin Phenolic it is 3%, Aka-Resin Epoxy 51% and Aka-Resin Melamine 28% more mounts. This means that the cost per sample is lower than for other resins.
  • Available in various colours: black, green, orange and red.
  • Good edge retention and planeness for a universal hot mounting resin. Different materials can easily be mounted with Aka-Resin PP:
  • Flows easily when heated, which enables complete infiltration that ensures a void-free matrix. Multiple specimens in one mount is possible with Aka-Resin PP, which can reduce further preparation time. As shown below:
  • Backfilling: Aka-Resin PP can be used as backing material. This is a cost-effective solution when using more expensive resins. An example is when epoxy or melamine are required for edge retention, such as for very hard materials:

  • The resin can resist the following etchants without any loss in mount integrity. Tests have been done with Nital 3%, NaOH 20% and V2A (at room temperature).
  • Engraving is easily possible due to the relatively soft nature of polypropylene:

  • Thermoplastic: Can be remounted.

Aka-Resin PP Process Parameters

The parameters below are based on a 0.45% carbon steel sample, 20% volume:

Cylinder dia. Volume (ml) Heating T (°C)* Heating Time (min) Force (kN) Cooling Time (min) Rate
25 mm 20 160 – 180 5 – 7 15 3 High
30 mm 25 160 – 180 5 – 7 25 3 High
40 mm 45 160 – 180 6 – 8 30 4 High
50 mm 70 160 – 180 8 – 10 45 5 High

The above table is a reference guide only, the process parameters depend on the type of mounting press used.

 

Packaging Sizes and Product Numbers

250 ml (demo) 2,5 kg 7,5 kg 30 kg (4 x 7,5 kg buckets)
Aka-Resin PP, Black 21602621 21602622 21602624 21602627
Aka-Resin PP, Green 21602651 21602652 21602654 21602657
Aka-Resin PP, Orange 21602671 21602672 21602674 21602677
Aka-Resin PP, Red 21602681 21602682 21602684 21602687

Who Should Use Aka-Resin PP

If you have to follow stringent safety and/or environmental rules or are dealing with mounting resin dust, you will benefit from using Aka-Resin PP.

Additional suitable applications:

  • Identification of different user groups e.g. Shift A (06h00 – 14h00), Shift B (14h00 – 22h00), Shift C (22h00 – 06h00).
  • Distinguishing different materials with different mount colours.
  • When there is a preference of using one type of resin for all samples.
  • Use as economical resin as backfilling for samples where epoxy or similar resin is used as a first layer.

Recommendations to Obtain the Best Hot Mounting Results

  • Choose the correct hot mounting resin based on your material and application need:
    • Aka-Resin Epoxy is a black mineral-filled thermosetting compound for perfect mounts with very low shrinkage and best edge retention.
    • Aka-Resin Melamine is a white mineral-filled thermosetting compound for universal mounting with low shrinkage. White colour gives good contrast for microhardness testing.
    • Aka-Resin Melamine is slightly softer than Aka-Resin Epoxy.
    • Aka-Resin PP is a black, green, orange or red dust-free,  mineral-filled polypropylene thermoplastic compound that is ideal for mounting routine samples. It can also be used for backfilling. The different colours allow for easy identification of working groups, or sample categorisation.
    • Aka-Resin Acrylic is a thermoplastic compound providing completely clear mounts for easy visibility of the sample.
    • Aka-Resin Phenolic SEM is a black carbon-filled thermosetting compound for conductive mounting used in SEM work.
    • Aka-Resin Phenolic and Aka-Resin Phenolic-2, Black are black wood-filled thermosetting compounds for backfilling and mounting of routine samples. Aka-Resin Phenolic has a slightly shorter heating time than Aka-Resin Phenolic-2, Black.
  • Make sure that the process parameters (curing temperature, force, heating/cooling time and cooling rate) are optimal for your mount diameter and resin type in order to make sure your mounting process is as efficient as possible.
    NB: If the mount is not fully cured, you can always increase curing time.
  • Aka-Resin-PP can be used as a backing material. Backfilling is a cost-effective solution when using more expensive resins like Epoxy or Melamine.
  • If you need to ensure a stable sample position while curing, using a clip is recommended. The stainless steel clip for holding small and thin samples while mounting is optimal for holding individual samples. And our plastic clips can hold up to three samples.
  • To facilitate easy sample removal by preventing the sample from sticking, use Aka-NoStick Powder. It should be applied on the upper and lower ram of the mounting press for best results.
  • Protection caps can be used to cover the samples after the preparation. This will prevent the sample surface from getting scratched or damaged in other ways.
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