EMS Technical Data Sheets

Araldite 502 and Embed 812 Kit

EMS Catalog #13940

The combination of different embedding resins is popular because these kits blend the best qualities of each individual resin into one.

In 1964, Mollenhauer developed an Araldite-Epon (Embed-812) mixture for embedding plant tissue, with particular interest in preserving the plant cell wall. It has also shown to be successful with animal tissue. Sectioning with this mixture of resins has been proven to be easier than with each individual resin and the thermal stability of araldite and the image contrast of EM-bed-812 have made this a very successful blend.

Recommended Procedure:

Fixation:

Tissue can be fixed in a wide range of fixatives. One of the more commonly used fixatives is an aldehyde (i.e. glutaraldehyde) followed by osmium tetroxide.

Dehydration:

There are many different dehydration schedules that can be followed. A typical one is as follows:

70% Ethanol for 10 minutes

100% Ethanol for 10 minutes

100% Ethanol for 15 minutes

100% Propylene Oxide for 15minutes

100% Propylene Oxide for 15 minutes.

NOTE: Longer times may be required for some large samples.

Mixing Instruction:

Embed-812   25 ml or 27.5 g
Araldite 502   15 ml or 17.0 g
DDSA   55 ml or 55.0 g
DMP-30*   1.5 – 1.9 ml or 1.45 – 1.8 g

*Or BDMA 2.4 – 2.8 ml or 2.15 – 2.51 g

* For better penetration and stability in place of DMP-30 recommend BDMA. The quantity of BDMA is double the quantity of DMP-30.

Slight variation of the accelerator (DMP-30 or BDMA) will drastically affect the color and brittleness of the block.

For larger batches increase each component proportionally.

Prior to measuring and mixing the resin and the anhydride should be warmed (60°C) to reduce their viscosity. Thorough mixing is imperative to be able to achieve uniform blocks.

Although the mixture can be stored for up to 6 months at 4 to 8°C in a tight closed container. Highly recommended that freshly prepared embedding medium always the choice. If you choose to store the mixture, you should warm it thoroughly prior to adding the accelerator.

Infiltration:

It is recommended that for all of the infiltration steps, a specimen rotator should be used ( EMS #71780-10).

Embedding:

This may be done in BEEM Capsules ( EMS embedding capsules #70020) or a flat embedding mold (EMS #70900). Transfer each sample to a dry capsule or mold and fill the mold with embedding medium. Cure the medium in an oven at 60°C for 12 hours or until it is hard. Better sectioning properties of certain samples may be achieved if a time of 24 hours in the oven is used.

Blocks can be trimmed and sectioned after the blocks return to room temperature.

Reference:

Mollenhaurer, H.H. (1964), Stain Technology, 39, 11.

Product Information

Araldite 502/Embed 812 Kit
DMP-30
BDMA
EMS embedding capsules Catalog #70020
Flat embedding mold Catalog #70900
Specimen Rotator EMS #71780-10
EMBed 812 Resin MSDS
Araldite GY 502 MSDS
DDSA - Dodecenyl Succinic Anhydride Specially Distilled MSDS
DMP-30 MSDS