Ultra-Rapid Epoxy Embedment Using Microwave Energy

Abstract

The successful use of microwave energy for fixation procedures since 1970 led recently to very rapid staining procedures (3; see Hanker et al, these Proceedings). In this study, its use for embedding procedures using epoxy resins was investigated. The epoxies were mixed according to the resin/DDSA:NMA/DMP-30 system reported by Luft and Burke and Geiselman using the weight per epoxide equivalent (WPE) values calculated for good cutting properties. Kiefer has shown variations in the properties of polymers commercially available for use in electron microscopy. Those epoxies used in our study were Epon 812, TAAB 812, Polybed 812, Maraglas, Araldite 502 and a new polymer, C5048. After proper mixing, the resins were placed in flat embedding molds and placed in a microwave oven at low power settings for 4 to 11 minutes.