This invention relates to a spring wire clip for attachment to small plate-like metallurgical specimens and similar articles for the purpose of supporting them in free standing condition on one edge, such clip being characterized by a length of spring wire bent at a point midway between the ends thereof to produce a V-shaped crotch joining together a pair of oppositely bent generally S-shaped limbs. Each of these limbs includes a leg and a foot joined by a heel that defines a contact point which engages a face of the specimen with the limbs astraddle thereof. The feet diverge and their free ends produce toes that rest atop the supporting surface and engage same at spaced points on opposite sides of the specimen. The heels are normally spring-biased into contact with one another or opposite faces of a specimen inserted therebetween. With the limbs astraddle the specimen and the toes in contact with the supporting surface, the clip can either be tilted until the crotch seats atop the upper edge of the specimen or, alternatively, it can be left in an upright position where the crotch becomes a convenient appendage for the attachment of an electrical lead or the like. The clip preferably has opposed parallel flat faces at the heels effective to engage and hold the specimen even if the limbs are slightly misaligned transversely.
A method of preparing small samples for analysis by instrumental techniques is disclosed, wherein the method includes steps of holding a representative plurality of samples in contact with a surface of a backing member, with said samples in close proximity to each other, and linishing or grinding an area of said samples across a surface parallel or tangential to said surface of said backing member.
