School of Geographical & Earth Sciences

The Rock and Sediment Preparation facilities provide all necessary sample preparation steps for a variety of analytical techniques, e.g., Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Laser Ablation - Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). We provide rock splitting, sawing, crushing, sieving, milling, mineral separation (magnetic and density), and thin/thick section preparations. We offer bespoke sample preparation services for colleagues and students in our university, external academics and commercial clients. 

What we do 

Our laboratories are equipped to handle a wide range of sample types, including rocks, soils, sediments, mineral separates, concretes, and metal alloys. We are happy to tailor our preparation procedures to your specific needs, depending on the sample type and chosen analytical technique. 

Key preparation techniques include: 

• Rock splitting, sawing, crushing, milling, and sieving  

• Mineral separation (density separation via shaking table and heavy liquids (LST & DIM), and magnetic separation via vertical and horizontal magnetic separators) 

• Grain mount preparation, including polishing 

• Polished thick/thin section preparation 

Facilities and equipment 

Our laboratories are fully equipped for all stages of sample preparation. 

Key capabilities include: 

• Hydraulic rock splitting – Aydra Model 6515 Lite 

• Rock sawing – Contempo Lapidary 24” saw, ATM Brillant 220, Highland Park high production saw, Buehler Petro-Thin 

• Rock crushing – 2 x Jaw Crushers: Retsch BB 100 Mangan and BB 200 Mangan 

• Rock/Sediment/Soil pulverising/milling – Rock pulveriser (Bico, Gilson LC-53) & Mixer/ball mill (Retsch MM 400) 

• Shaking table – Gemeni table MK2 

• Mineral separation – vertical & horizontal magnetic separators (Frantz L-1 and LB-1), LST and DIM heavy liquid separation 

• Lapping - Logitech PM6 lapping machine 

• Mounting – MMM Medcenter Vacucell vacuum oven for epoxy resin impregnation 

• Grinding/Polishing – 2 x Semi-automatic grinder-polishers (Buehler Vector Power Head Beta Grinder-Polisher & Kemet 300 Series), 1 x  manual grinder-polisher (Buehler Beta Grinder-Polisher).