Rock and Thin Section Preparation Lab


The Rock and Thin Section Preparation Laboratory is operated by Mr. Pike Holman in the basement floor (Room 012) of Lindley Hall. The laboratory provides sample preparation services to students, faculty, researchers, and clients from the public and private sectors. Common services that are provided include preparation of petrographic thin/thick sections, epoxy grain mounts, rock slabbing and polishing, and various specialty services to. The lab also has equipment that can be used by students, staff, and faculty for research and classes. Equipment available for use includes: various saws, grinding wheels, lapping wheels, ovens, and vacuum chambers. Time in the lab and training may be arranged by the lab manager Mr. Pike Holman.

The lab recently acquired a Pelcon Automatic Thin Section machine. This machine allows one operator to create 10 to 30 thin sections per day while maintaining a high level of quality. The thin sections maintain a consistent and even thickness while minimizing plucking and damage. Thin sections can be ordered in a standard size (55x65mm or 26x46mm”) or large size (90x65mm or 75x50mm). Optional treatments like carbonate/feldspar staining, epoxy impregnation, and considerations for water and heat sensitive samples may be ordered as well.

For questions, inquiries, and price sheets, please contact:

Pike Holman

Rock Lab Technician

Department of Geology | University of Kansas

Lindley Hall, Room 12 |1475 Jayhawk Blvd.

Lawrence, KS 66045

Email: plholman@ku.edu

Unpolished Thin Sections

Standard Rough: $21.00

Standard Cut: $19.00

Standard Precut: $17.00

Large Rough: $37.00

Large Cut: $33.00

Large Precut: $30.00

Polished Thin Sections

Standard Rough: $33.00

Standard Cut: $30.00

Standard Precut: $29.00

Large Rough: $55.00

Large Cut: $53.00

Large Precut: $51.00

Double Polished Thick Sections

Standard Rough: $41.00

Standard Cut: $38.00

Standard Precut: $37.00

Large Rough: $72.00

Large Cut: $67.00

Large Precut: $66.00

Cover Slips: $2.00

Epoxy Impregnation:

Surface: $3.00

Vacuum Standard: $4.00

Vacuum Large: $6.00

Vacuum plus fluorescent dye: $7.00

Carbonate Stains:

Alizarin Red S: $3.00

Potassium Ferricyanide: $3.00

Alizarin Red S + Potassium Ferricyanide: $3.00

Feldspar Stains:

Sodium Cobaltinitrite: $5.00

Barium Chloride and Rhodizonate: $5.00

1” Diameter Epoxy Grain Mounts:

Epoxy Pour: $13.00

Polished Grain Mount: $35.00

Other Services:

Rock Cutting: $4.00/cut

Polishing: $12.00/face

Miscellaneous services: $23.00/hour

Unpolished Thin Sections:

Standard Rough: $22.00

Standard Cut: $20.00

Standard Precut: $18.00

Large Rough: $39.00

Large Cut: $35.00

Large Precut: $32.00

Polished Thin Sections:

Standard Rough: $35.00

Standard Cut: $32.00

Standard Precut: $31.00

Large Rough: $58.00

Large Cut: $56.00

Large Precut: $54.00

Double Polished Thick Sections:

Standard Rough: $43.00

Standard Cut: $40.00

Standard Precut: $39.00

Large Rough: $76.00

Large Cut: $71.00

Large Precut: $70.00

Cover Slips: $2.00

Epoxy Impregnation:

Surface: $3.00

Vacuum Standard: $4.00

Vacuum Large: $6.00

Vacuum plus fluorescent dye: $8.00

Carbonate Stains:

Alizarin Red S: $3.00

Potassium Ferricyanide: $3.00

Alizarin Red S + Potassium Ferricyanide: $3.00

Feldspar Stains:

Sodium Cobaltinitrite: $5.00

Barium Chloride and Rhodizonate: $5.00

1” Diameter Epoxy Grain Mounts:

Epoxy Pour: $15.00

Polished Grain Mount: $40.00

Other Services:

Rock Cutting: $5.00/cut

Polishing: $15.00/face

Miscellaneous services: $24.00/hour

Unpolished Thin Sections:

Standard Rough: $24.00

Standard Cut: $22.00

Standard Precut: $20.00

Large Rough: $43.00

Large Cut: $39.00

Large Precut: $35.00

Polished Thin Sections:

Standard Rough: $39.00

Standard Cut: $35.00

Standard Precut: $34.00

Large Rough: $64.00

Large Cut: $62.00

Large Precut: $59.00

Double Polished Thick Sections:

Standard Rough: $47.00

Standard Cut: $44.00

Standard Precut: $43.00

Large Rough: $84.00

Large Cut: $79.00

Large Precut: $78.00

Cover Slips: $2.00

Epoxy Impregnation:

Surface: $3.00

Vacuum Standard: $5.00

Vacuum Large: $6.00

Vacuum plus fluorescent dye: $9.00

Carbonate Stains:

Alizarin Red S: $3.00

Potassium Ferricyanide: $3.00

Alizarin Red S + Potassium Ferricyanide: $3.00

Feldspar Stains:

Sodium Cobaltinitrite: $6.00

Barium Chloride and Rhodizonate: $6.00

1” Diameter Epoxy Grain Mounts:

Epoxy Pour: $16.00

Polished Grain Mount: $44.00

Other Services:

Rock Cutting: $6.00/cut

Polishing: $17.00/face

Miscellaneous services: $26.00/hour