Work Instruction
Cressington 208 Carbon Coater
Faculty/Institute/Division: Science and Engineering Faculty
Description:
Standard operation of the evaporative carbon coater. Samples are coated prior to
imaging and analysis using electron microscopy. This equipment also allows coating of
other materials, plasma glow discharging and high temperature cleaning. Please see a
CARF staff member to perform these operations.
Applicable Documents

Nil
Hazards/Risks



Burns from hot carbon rods
Hot surfaces
Eye damage
PPE Required
Process
PREPARATION
You must have an current:
 CARF general induction.
 CARF – EM Suite induction.
You must be trained by CARF staff in the use of the CRESSINGTON 208 CARBON COATER before proceeding.
You must have read, understood and added yourself to the Risk Management Plan (MAPS 1037).
If you are unsure of anything please obtain staff assistance.
WORK
Lift chamber lid up (arm will support lid).
If you are unable to view your sample thru the bell jar because it is dirty please change to a clean bell jar (stored in the
laboratory oven) or clean (see ‘cleaning the bell jar’).
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Last modified: 9 February 2016
Reference Number:
Document Name: Document1
Document Version: 1
Cressington 208 Carbon Coater
Vacuum gauge
Set up of carbon rods
Remove carbon rods from previous user (loosen grub screws with allen key). If you have just performed a run and
are setting up for another: BEWARE the rods are hot.
Clean rod holder if required with fine grit paper rolled into a tube.
Select 2 new carbon rods of appropriate length (new rods stored in oven).
Flatten the first carbon rod with grit paper. Secure into rod holder (spring side) with allen key.
Sharpen the second rod. Insert rod into holder and push it against the flat rod ensuring the spring is tight to obtain
a firm contact.
Flat end rod inserted
on springside
Sharpened point:
push in against flat
rod for a secure
contact
Place samples on chamber stage at same heights. Specimen stage can rotate and tilt if samples are irregularly
shaped. The stage rotate motor is battery operated so please remember to turn off.
Wipe top of bell jar and o-ring with kimwipes and ethanol if required.
Close lid.
Coating procedure
Switch red power button ON (this will start the rotary pump).
Use digital gauge on top of coater – leave until a vacuum of 10-6 is reached (approx 4 minutes).
Settings
Check and set the coating time required. If time adjustment is needed press TIMER while adjusting time up and
down with SET arrows.
 For microanalysis – use auto functions (timer 5, voltage 4.7).
 For grids – use manual settings - set manual volts to min (knob).
NEVER look directly at the arcing rods. Cover bright rods with hand while looking at reflection in glass door.
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Last modified: 9 February 2016
Reference Number:
Document Name: Document1
Document Version: 1
Cressington 208 Carbon Coater
Press start/stop (red light).
 If timer set, unit will coat for set time.
 If using manual setting - turn voltage knob until rods are glowing
If samples require a thicker coating wait for vacuum to obtain 10-6 and recoat.
Turn OFF power.
Turn rotate off if used.
Tips
Place a bent piece of paper near samples angled away from rods to form a shadow to determine coating colour.
Monitor thickness on shadow.
Place polished brass stub in chamber with samples
POST WORK
Venting
Switch red power button off and wait. You will hear the chamber lid ‘pop’ as it is released (~1 min).
DO NOT touch carbon rods after coating as they are extremely hot. Leave in holder to cool and next user can take
them out.
Open chamber lid.
Remove samples.
Close lid. Leave chamber at air.
Cleaning the Bell jar
Rinse under running tap while wiping with paper towel to remove carbon.
Rub a small amount of washing up detergent onto the inside of the clean bell jar while wet.
Wipe dry with paper towel.
Place in laboratory oven ready for next user.
Approval
(Insert Title)
Date
3
Last modified: 9 February 2016
Reference Number:
Document Name: Document1
Document Version: 1