Preparation of material for microscopic examination is the most common method used for mechanical specimens. The surface preparation necessary for a specific analysis or examination is determined by the type of analysis or examination being performed. The process of preparing mechanical specimens involves removing the material on their surface until the desired result is achieved. This can be done with progressively finer particles until the desired surface finish is reached.

 

Proper grinding removes damaged or deformed surface material while limiting additional surface deformation. The goal is to produce a polished surface with minimal damage that can be easily removed during polishing. Grinding removes material using a fixed abrasive particle that produces small chips of the specimen material. The process of making small chips with a sharp abrasive grain produces the lowest amount of deformation in the specimen while providing the highest removal rate.