XQ-2B Metallographic Sample Mounting Machine (Hot Mounting Press)
Metallographic Sample Preparation
Overview
The XQ-2B is a bench-top hot mounting press for metallographic sample preparation. Small, irregular and hard-to-handle specimens are embedded in thermosetting plastic so that a flat, safe and reproducible surface can be ground, polished and etched. Hot mounting embeds a specimen in thermosetting resin at about 150-180 C under pressure; after the mount cools and hardens it holds the specimen rigidly, so edges, coatings and surface layers stay flat instead of rounding over or pulling out during preparation.
Sample mounting is the first real step of the metallographic workflow and it strongly affects every result that follows. If a specimen is not supported properly, the soft and hard phases grind at different rates and the edge of the sample becomes unusable. The XQ-2B solves that problem with a stable, digital-thermostat-controlled heating cycle and a protective cover, so operators in a busy laboratory can produce consistent mounts shift after shift.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Specimen pressing moulds | Ø22 mm, Ø30 mm, Ø45 mm |
| Heater | 650 W, 220 V, 50 Hz |
| Temperature control | Digital thermometer / thermostat |
| Safety | Protective safety cover |
| Overall dimensions | 340 × 260 × 430 mm |
| Net weight | 30 kg |
Construction, heating and safety
The heating temperature of this mechanical mounting machine is controlled by a digital thermometer, and its performance is stable and reliable from batch to batch. For safer operation the press is equipped with a safety protection cover, which is the best equipment arrangement for routine sample mounting.
The three standard pressing moulds (22, 30 and 45 mm) cover the great majority of metallographic specimens, from small fasteners and bearing components to longer bar sections that are cut to length first. A correct mount keeps the specimen parallel to the grinding plane, protects fragile edges and makes the sample easy to label and store in a specimen library.
How the XQ-2B fits the metallographic workflow
The mount produced by the XQ-2B is designed to be handed straight to a grinding and polishing machine such as the P-2, P-2T or MPS-2B. A typical preparation sequence uses silicon carbide paper for grinding and diamond suspensions from 9 um down to 0.25 um, finished with 0.05 um colloidal silica for a mirror surface. Because the thermosetting resin supports the specimen on all sides, the finished surface stays flat and the true microstructure can be observed under the metallographic microscope.
Proper mounting also protects the operator: sharp or thin specimens are fully encapsulated, so there is no exposed edge to catch on the polishing disc.
Applications
The XQ-2B is used in the metallographic laboratories of factories, research institutes and colleges and universities. Typical work includes quality control of cast iron and steel, failure analysis of shafts and gears, examination of weld cross-sections, thickness measurement of coatings and surface-hardening layers, and preparation of samples for hardness testing. It is common to mount a group of samples together so that they can be ground and polished in a single batch, which keeps preparation time and consumable use low.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a metallographic sample mounting machine do?
It embeds a small or irregular specimen in thermosetting resin under heat and pressure so that the specimen is supported on all sides. The mounted sample can then be ground, polished and etched without edge rounding, which makes the microstructure and surface layers visible and measurable.
What mould sizes does the XQ-2B support?
The XQ-2B is supplied with three specimen pressing moulds of O22 mm, O30 mm and O45 mm, which cover most routine metallographic specimens from small parts to longer sections cut to length.
How much power does the XQ-2B heater need?
The heater is rated 650 W at 220 V, 50 Hz, and the heating temperature is controlled by a digital thermometer for a stable, repeatable mounting cycle.
Is the XQ-2B safe to operate in a busy laboratory?
Yes. The press is fitted with a protective safety cover, and the thermosetting resin and heating cycle are controlled by the digital thermostat, so the operator is protected during pressing.
Which machines are used after mounting?
After mounting, samples are normally ground and polished on a disc machine such as the P-2 or P-2T, then examined on a metallographic microscope. A typical polish sequence runs diamond from 9 um to 0.25 um and finishes with 0.05 um colloidal silica.
Related Products & Pages
- Metallographic Sample Preparation
- ZXQ-5 Automatic Metallographic Sample Mounting Machine
- P-2T Metallographic Grinding and Polishing Machine
- Metallographic Hardness Testing
About CHENJI & Support
CHENJI is the brand of Jinan Chenji International Trade Co., Ltd. (Shandong, China), a manufacturer and exporter of material testing machines since 2014, with in-house quality control plus third-party inspection by SGS or Bureau Veritas. The company holds ISO 9001 certification (626024QH073R1) and is a Bureau Veritas audited supplier (MIC-ASR2451820). Testing machines are normally supplied with a calibration certificate valid for 12 months and traceable to national force standards, and our engineers help you select the machine, fixtures and accessories for your specimen and method.
Every quotation is prepared against the standard you test to, so the delivered machine matches the test method rather than only the headline capacity. Spare parts, consumables and calibration support are available after delivery, and machines can be produced to OEM or ODM requirements when a customer drawing or specification is provided.
Selecting and Verifying a Testing Machine
Choosing a machine is a matter of matching capacity to the specimen and the method, not of buying the largest frame. A 1000 kN machine is not suitable for a sample that needs 1 N of force; capacity selection follows the specimen and the standard, and the force measuring system should be verified per ISO 7500-1 or ASTM E4 on a regular schedule. Load cells are commonly supplied as class 0.5 or class 1, which means the indicated force stays within ±0.5% or ±1% of the true force.
Test results are only comparable when they are quoted together with the standard, the specimen geometry, the test speed and the force measurement class. We are glad to review your test method and specimen so that the machine, fixtures and accessories are correctly specified before you order.
Request a Quotation
Need the XQ-2B for your laboratory? Send your sample type and mould size to CHENJI for a quotation, lead time and shipping cost.
Email annie@chenjitester.com or call / WhatsApp +86 158 5311 1612.