Silicone Additive Facilitates Epoxy Plastic Sectioning

Abstract

Cutting quality of epoxy plastics is greatly improved by addition of 1% Dow Corning 200 fluid silicone plastic additive of 0.65 centistoke viscosity to formulations presently in use for ultramicrotomy and electron microscopy. The additive does not appreciably alter staining characteristics or reduce mechanical strength of ultrathin sections. Glass knives lasted 5 to 15 times longer when cutting modified rather than unmodified plastic. The additive did not impart electron density to any of the plastics used.