Structure of Polished Solids

Abstract

IN consequence of the recent communication of R. C. French ¹ on the structure of polished surfaces—investigated by high-speed electrons—and the fact that at the same time W. Boas and E. Schmid,² using Laue reflection diagrams, come to rather different conclusions, it seems desirable to mention some of the results, obtained on different experimental lines and published in Holland about a year ago.³ These latter results suggest that polishing should be considered primarily as a very fine process of abrasion of the suitably prepared surface, accompanied by a levelling of surface lamellæ (or micellæ), the first step in this direction already being made when grinding the specimen (plastic deformation in the surface layers).