Products
Carbon Rods and Wire
Carbon: Introduction
with permission, based on Ian M. Watt’s book1 and article4
- Density: 2.2gm cm-3
- Melting Point: around 3550°C
- Evaporation Temperature: 2400°C
- Temperature at which a substance has a vapor pressure of 1.33 x 10-2 mbar (arbitrary)
- Average Thickness: 23nm at 5µg cm-2 in nm
- Uses:
- TEM substrates, replicas
- SEM coating of non-conducting samples for x-ray analysis
- EBSD: coating of non-conducting samples with an amorphous layer
- Microprobe: coating of non-conducting samples with highly conductive layer.
Carbon films are uniformly amorphous and highly transparent to electrons because carbon has a low atomic weight. Due to their strongly interconnected three-dimensional network structure, carbon films have remarkable mechanical stability, even when as thin as 1 – 2nm3.
At thicknesses used in electron microscopy from about 2nm upwards carbon films are chemically inert, continuous and basically free from self-structure except for a speckled appearance visible at only the highest magnifications.
Carbon depositions produce a film around the sides and back of specimens without specimen rotation (see EM picture to left). This may be explained by the deflection of light carbon atoms out of straight-line flight by collisions with gas molecules and with the walls or obstructions in a vacuum chamber.
References:
1. Watt IM, 1985. The principles and practice of electron microscopy. Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-25557-0.
2. Bradley DE, 1954. Evaporated carbon films for use in electron microscopy. Br J Appl Phys, 5, 65-66.
3. Hayat MA, 1981. Principles and techniques of electron microscopy, Vol 1 (2nd Ed), University Park Press.
4. Watt IM, November, 1991. Carbon – The electron microscopist’s most useful element. Microscopy and Analysis, pp 21-23.
The PELCO easiShaper is an electric motor driven carbon rod sharpener which offers easy, quick, and clean carbon rod shaping for carbon evaporators using either 1/4″, 1/8″, or 3/16″ carbon or graphite rods. It is ideally suited for busy, multiple user, high throughput labs.
The vertical design of the unit makes operation easy and saves valuable space. It presents a clean alternative to hand rod shapers producing more consistent, smooth, and uniform carbon tips.
The PELCO easiShaper is designed for cutting single and double step carbon rods (used in the Cressington carbon coaters). The cutting head incorporates two tungsten carbide cutting blades, a top guiding bearing, and vortex design to keep the carbon dust in the integrated dust collector.
The carbon rod holder holds the carbon rod and is inserted in the top guiding bearing to produce precision cut tips. The dust collector is easily removed for cleaning and/or blade adjustment. Universal power supply for 100-240V and 50/60Hz which is UL/CUL and CE certified.
Each PELCO easiShaper is capable of shaping the three different rod sizes mentioned above, but for convenience, the PELCO easiShaper comes kitted ready to sharpen the two most popular carbon rod sizes, 1/4″ and 1/8″ carbon rods (3/16″ possible with purchase of holder #58-16).
The PELCO easiShaper kit for 1/4″ carbon rods (Product #58) includes a 1/4″ carbon rod holder and a blade setting gauge able to set the blades to a single 1mm diameter step or double steps with 1.65mm and 3.8mm diameters.
The kit available for shaping 1/8″ rods (Product #58-100) includes a 1/8″ rod holder and gauge that can be used to set the blades to produce single step 1mm or 1.2mm diameter tip carbon rods.
Images of the holders and gauges in each kit, along with carbon rod shapes possible from these combinations, can be found in the specifications.
Specifications
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| 1/4″ Kit (Product #58) shown with PELCO easiShaper™, Gauge, Carbon Rod Holder, and Supported Carbon Rod Tip Sizes |
1/8″ Kit (Product #58-100) shown with PELCO easiShaper™, Gauge, Carbon Rod Holder, and Supported Carbon Rod Tip Sizes |
| Specifications | |
| Nominal Carbon Rod Sizes | 1/4″ 1/8″ 3/16″ with applicable rod holder for each |
| Shaped Steps | Single or double step |
| Cutting Blades | Dual Tungsten Carbide with 4 usable cutting edges on each blade |
| Cutter Speed | 2350 rpm |
| Height | 168mm / 6-5/8″ |
| Diameter | 114mm / 4.5″ |
| Collector Capacity | 56ml / 2 fl oz |
| Humidity Range | 8 -90% |
| Weight | 2.07kg / 4.6lbs |
| Power Requirements | 100-240V, 47-63Hz |
| Power Rating | 1.2A@115V or 0.6A@230V |
| Art. | Description | Unit | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | PELCO easiShaper Carbon Rod Shaper System, 100-240V |
Each | € 1.175,60 | ||
| 58-100 | PELCO easiShaper Carbon Rod Shaper System for 1/8″ Carbon Rods, 100-240V |
Each | € 1.175,60 | ||
| 58-4 | Replacement Carbon Rod Holder for 1/4″ Carbon Rods |
Each | € 72,60 | ||
| 58-5 | Replacement Blade Setting Gauge for Single or Double Step |
Each | € 33,00 | ||
| 58-8 | Additional Carbon Rod Holder for 1/8″ Carbon Rods |
Each | € 72,60 | ||
| 58-6 | Replacement 1/8″ Blade Setting Gauge for Single Step |
Each | € 33,00 | ||
| 58-16 | Additional Carbon Rod Holder for 3/16″ Carbon Rods |
Each | € 72,60 | ||
| 58-10 | Additional Cutting Head Assembly |
Each | € 293,40 | ||
| 58-20 | Replacement Dust Collector Container |
Each | € 124,00 |
The carbon rods are offered in either spectroscopically pure or technical grades for standard electron microscopy evaporation requirements using carbon coaters. Due to the purification process used all carbon rods we supply have a graphite structure.
The purification process removes impurities at a high temperature and causes the carbon to crystallize. The graphite structure has no adverse effects on the carbon coating or the carbon coating process. The user might perceive an additional advantage: the carbon rods (graphite rods) are less brittle than the carbon rods and are easier to handle and easier to shape.
Technical grade carbon rods have a typical impurity level of around 50ppm or greater. Typical applications are non critical SEM or SEM/EDS coating of non-conducting samples.
“Spec-Pure” (spectroscopically pure) grade is available for carbon (graphite) rods with impurities equal or less than 2ppm (single element 1 ppm or less).
Typically the impurity level is more likely 1ppm or less. This grade should be used for TEM, FESEM, FIB, WDS, EBSD, Microprobe and more critical SEM/EDS applications.
Sizes of Carbon Rods
Grade 1 Spec-Pure Carbon Rods
Spectroscopically pure graphite structure carbon rods with an impurity level of 2ppm or less with 1ppm as maximum level for each element.
Trace elements can be Si, Al, Fe, Mg, Ca or B (less than or equal to 1ppm).
The rods are all 12″ long with three nominal diameters (1/8″, 3/16″ and 1/4″) to comply with the carbon source used in different high vacuum carbon evaporators.
Highly recommended for TEM, FESEM, FIB, WDS, EBSD, Microprobe and more critical SEM/EDS applications.
Density 1.10 g/cm
Resistivity 67 ?m
Hardness 32 shore
Porosity 29%.
| Art. | Description | Unit | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61-15 | Carbon Rods, Grade 1 Spec-Pure, 1/8″ x 12″ (3 x 304mm) |
12 | € 151,00 | ||
| 61-25 | Carbon Rods, Grade 1 Spec-Pure, 3/16″ x 12″ (4.6 x304mm) |
12 | € 111,20 | ||
| 61-35 | Carbon Rods, Grade 1 Spec-Pure, 1/4″ x 12″ (6.2 x 304mm) |
12 | € 154,20 |
The carbon rods are offered in either spectroscopically pure or technical grades for standard electron microscopy evaporation requirements using carbon coaters. Due to the purification process used all carbon rods we supply have a graphite structure.
The purification process removes impurities at a high temperature and causes the carbon to crystallize. The graphite structure has no adverse effects on the carbon coating or the carbon coating process. The user might perceive an additional advantage: the carbon rods (graphite rods) are less brittle than the carbon rods and are easier to handle and easier to shape.
Technical grade carbon rods have a typical impurity level of around 50ppm or greater. Typical applications are non critical SEM or SEM/EDS coating of non-conducting samples.
“Spec-Pure” (spectroscopically pure) grade is available for carbon (graphite) rods with impurities equal or less than 2ppm (single element 1 ppm or less).
Typically the impurity level is more likely 1ppm or less. This grade should be used for TEM, FESEM, FIB, WDS, EBSD, Microprobe and more critical SEM/EDS applications.
Sizes of Carbon Rods
Grade 1 Spec-Pure Carbon Rods
Spectroscopically pure graphite structure carbon rods with an impurity level of 2ppm or less with 1ppm as maximum level for each element.
Trace elements can be Si, Al, Fe, Mg, Ca or B (less than or equal to 1ppm).
The rods are all 12″ long with three nominal diameters (1/8″, 3/16″ and 1/4″) to comply with the carbon source used in different high vacuum carbon evaporators.
Highly recommended for TEM, FESEM, FIB, WDS, EBSD, Microprobe and more critical SEM/EDS applications.
Density 1.10 g/cm
Resistivity 67 ?m
Hardness 32 shore
Porosity 29%.
| Art. | Description | Unit | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93015 | Carbon Rods, Grade 1, 6.5x305mm (1/4″x12″), 60Hz, pk/10 |
Each | € 242,40 | ||
| 93016 | Carbon Rods, Grade 1, 6.5x305mm (1/4″x12″), 50Hz, pk/10 |
Each | € 247,70 |
Technical grade graphite structure carbon rods contain impurities typically equal to or less than 50ppm.
However, as an exception some batches can contain impurities up to 200 ppm.
The impurities typically consist of: (ppm max.): Ca 20, Fe 20, Cr 10, Si 2-5, Ti 8-10, V 4-4 and traces of other elements.
Use this grade for non-critical SEM and SEM/EDS applications.
| Art. | Description | Unit | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61-52 | Carbon Rods, Technical Grade, Grade 2, 1/8″ x 12″ (3 x 304mm) |
12 | € 123,30 | ||
| 61-72 | Carbon Rods, Technical Grade, Grade 2, 1/4″ x 12″ (6.2 x304mm) |
12 | € 158,90 |
All pointed carbon (graphite) rods are made from spectroscopically pure (impurities <2ppm, no element more than 1ppm) graphitized carbon.
Trace elements can be Si, Al, Fe, Mg, Ca or B (less than or equal to 1ppm). Pointed carbon rods give improved evaporation procedures and enable consistent carbon coating.
| 62-107 Double-Pointed Carbon, 0.120″ (1/8″) dia. x 2.4″ long (3.05 x 61mm) Tip: 0.039″ (1.0mm) dia., neck type tips |
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| 62-118 Double-Pointed Carbon Rods, 1/4″ dia. x 1-3/4″ long (6.2 x 45mm) Tip: 0.059″ dia. (1.5mm), neck type tips |
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| 93010 Double-Pointed Carbon Rods, 1/4″ dia. x 1-3/4″ long (6.2 x 45mm) Tip: 0.059″ dia. (1.5mm), neck type tips |
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| Art. | Description | Unit | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62-107 | Double-Pointed Carbon Rods, 1/8″ dia. x 2.4″ L (3.05 x 61mm) |
10 | € 44,00 | ||
| 62-118 | Double-pointed Carbon Rods 1/4″ dia. x 1-3/4″ L (6.2 x 45mm) |
10 | € 49,50 | ||
| 93010 | Pointed Carbon Rods, Double Neck Tip 6.2x38mm (1/4″x1-1/2″), 60Hz, pk/10 |
Each | € 126,10 |
spectroscopically pure, <2ppm
No element more than 1ppm (can be Si, Al, Fe, Mg, Ca or B)
Rod Length: 2-3/8″ (60.3mm) |
| Art. | Description | Unit | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62-132 | Carbon Rods, 1/8″ dia. x 2-3/8″ L (3 x 60.3mm), neck tip, single point |
50 | € 260,80 | ||
| 62-138 | Carbon Rods, 1/4″ dia. x 2-3/8″ L (6.2 x 60.3mm), neck tip, single point |
30 | € 257,50 |
Hand tool for shaping / sharpening two step carbon rods for the Cressingtion Carbon Coaters.
Graphite rod is inserted into tool and rotated by hand against two pre-set tungsten carbide cutters to achieve the correct steps.
Comes with brass adjustment tool.
| Art. | Description | Unit | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57-10 | Two Step Carbon Rod Sharpener for 1/4″ rods (Cressington 108C & 208C) |
Each | € 177,70 | ||
| 57-12 | Replacement Blades for Two Step Carbon Rod Sharpener for 1/4″ rods, pk/2 |
Each | € 30,00 |
Simple hand tool for sharpening Carbon rods into 1 millimeter cylindrical tips.
Rod is inserted into tool and rotated by hand against an adjustable tungsten carbide cutter to the desired length.
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| Possible carbon pointed rod shapes and their setups. The right illustration, with neck rods, is usually preferred. |
| Art. | Description | Unit | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | Hand Carbon Rod Shaper, for 1/8″ size (3mm) rods |
Each | € 94,50 | ||
| 57-2 | Hand Carbon Rod Shaper, for 1/4″ size (6.2mm) rods |
Each | € 102,80 | ||
| 57-8 | Cutter Replacement for Carbon Rod Shaper |
Each | € 23,50 |
high purity, two types
4 oz. (113g) packages
Fine carbon powder in graphite form.
Very high purity with trace elements less than a total of 2 ppm.
Trace elements can be Si, Al, Fe, Mg, Ca or B.Graphite flake size is 100 mesh (50% through 200 mesh).
Can be used for pelletizing or mixing with resins or epoxy to make them conductive.
Sold in 4 oz. (113g) container.
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Download Typical graphite particle size distribution – Product #61-302 |
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Download Typical graphite particle size distribution – Product #61-304 |
| Art. | Description | Unit | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61-302 | SP-1 Natural Flake Graphite Powder, 200 mesh, 4 |
Each | € 132,90 | ||
| 61-304 | SP-2 Synthetic Graphite Powder, 200 mesh, 4 |
Each | € 163,00 |
available in 3 different thread diameters
These high purity carbon fiber threads or braids are used in carbon evaporators or carbon coating attachments, used on sputter coaters, designed for the use of carbon fiber.
The thin carbon layer will act as a conductive layer on non-conductive samples to enable charge free imaging and EDS X-ray analysis.
The carbon fiber braids, when attached properly to the holding posts, will give repeatable carbon coating thickness when the same distance from sample surface to evaporation source is used. The carbon fiber braids are processed to resist unraveling at the ends when cut to length.
The special heat treatment also produces a spectrographically pure carbon fiber, with impurities only up to a maximum level of 5-10ppm which is not detectable by EDS systems. Saves the work of shaping carbon rods. The power requirement is approximately 20V/20A depending on diameter, but varies depending on the brand of coater.
Please consult the instructions with the coater to determine which carbon fiber thread fits best. Purity of the carbon thread is 99.9% or better: small amount of calcium and silicon could be present.
The carbon fiber threads are available in three thread diameters; 2.5, 1.3 and 0.8mm.
The thicker thread with a diameter of 2.5mm and a density of 1.6g/m is widely used in general applications and gives a medium carbon layer thickness. This thicker thread is recommended for use on carbon coaters made by Quorum Technologies, SPI, Emitech, Polaron, Fisons and Technics.
The medium thread with 1.3mm diameter and a density of 0.7g/m is recommended for the same carbon coaters as mentioned above, but for applications where a thinner carbon coating is required. The carbon coating thickness can be increased by using multiple threads.
The thinner thread with a diameter of 0.8mm and a density of 0.4g/m is recommended for the thinnest carbon coatings. The thinner thread also exhibits better compatibility with carbon coaters made by Fullam, Leybold, Denton and Baltec.
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Download Material Safety Data Sheet |
| Art. | Description | Unit | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91202 | Carbon Fiber, 2.5mm dia., 1.6g/m, 3 |
Each | € 86,60 | ||
| 91202-2 | Carbon Fiber, 2.5mm dia., 1.6g/m, 10 |
Each | € 213,40 | ||
| 91202-3 | Carbon Fiber, 1.3mm dia., 0.7g/m, 1 |
Each | € 23,50 | ||
| 91202-4 | Carbon Fiber, 0.8mm dia., 0.4g/m, 1 |
Each | € 26,70 |
