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Desh627
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I have a bk7 prism (borosilicate...) and I'd like to polish it to a 4020 scratch surface rating. How would I go about doing this?
A BK7 prism is a type of optical glass commonly used in scientific and industrial applications. It is made of borosilicate glass and has a high index of refraction, making it ideal for use in prisms and lenses.
A 4020 scratch rating is a measure of the surface quality of the prism. It indicates that the prism has been polished to a level where it can withstand scratches up to 40 microns in width and 20 microns in depth without affecting its optical performance.
Polishing a BK7 prism to a 4020 scratch rating involves a multi-step process. First, the prism is ground down to remove any imperfections or roughness. Then, it is smoothed and shaped using a series of finer abrasives. Finally, a polishing compound is used to achieve the desired 4020 scratch rating.
A 4020 scratch rating is important because it ensures that the prism has a smooth and uniform surface, which is crucial for accurate and precise optical measurements. It also indicates that the prism has been properly polished and is of high quality.
Yes, it is possible to polish a BK7 prism to a higher scratch rating than 4020. However, this requires more advanced polishing techniques and may not be necessary for most applications. A 4020 scratch rating is considered to be a high-quality standard for BK7 prisms.