ACLAR®–Fluoropolymer Films
An Embedding/Cell Growing Film
ACLAR® is made from fluorinated-chlorinated resins. There are four basic film types–the homopolymer ACLAR® Rx Series, the copolymers ACLAR® 22A and 33C and the new ACLAR® Cx. (Honeywell/Allied Signal). The chemical make-up of all ACLAR® products provide an exceptional moisture barrier. ACLAR® is crystal clear, biochemically inert, highly resistant to most chemicals and sterilizable by heat or radiation. ACLAR® is used widely in pharmaceutical, medical, sensitive electronics and military packaging.
ACLAR® 33C is a copolymer film consisting primarily of chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE). It offers an outstanding moisture barrier, excellent chemical resistance and minimal dimensional change (<2%), making it the best choice for use in microscopy.
Aclar® UltRx 2000 is a 2.00 mil (51 micron) PCTFE homopolymer, high performance barrier film for the pharmaceutical and medical markets. It thermoforms well on conventional blister packaging equipment and provides the best barrier of any clear film.
Features:
- Crystal clear, high UV transparency– ideal for use in UV curing of embedding resin in microscopy.
- Chemically stable and biochemical\y inert– the product of choice for growing cell cultures.
- Low dielectric constant, high electric strength and dissipation factor– offers excellent cell attachment even through lengthy processing procedures.
- Low surface energy–and separates easily from epoxy.
- Exhibits no detectable autofluorescence– ideal for fluorescent microscopy.
- A non-flammable, non-aging co-polymer– which is suited for sterilization by heat or UV.
- Crystalline melting point is 206°C (403°F)– stable in the SEM.
- Flexible and soft– can be sectioned without damage to the ultramicrotome knives.
ACLAR® 33C Film
ACLAR® 33C film is now available in 7.8 mil (199µm) thickness and it is offered in a 8” x 10” sheet form with package quantities of 10 or 25.
| 50425-10 | ACLAR® 33C Film, 8”x 10”, 7.8 Mil | 10 | 80.00 | Add to Cart |
| 50425-25 | ACLAR® 33C Film, 8”x 10”, 7.8 Mil | 25 | 182.00 | Add to Cart |
ACLAR® 33C Physical Data Sheet
(These are only typical values and are not to be interpreted as product specifications):
| Typical Value | |||
| Properties@ 73°F ~50% RH | English | Metric | Test Method |
| Gravity Specific | 2.12 | ASTM D1505 | |
| Yield 7.8 mil | 1,677 in2/lb. | 2.38m2/kg | |
| Haze | <4.5% | ASTM D1003 | |
| Crystalline Melting Point | 403°F | 206°C | ASTM D4591 |
| Dimensional Stability,
10 min @ 300°F -MD -TD |
<2% <2% |
ASTM D1204 | |
| Tensile Strength -MD -TD |
3000-4600 psi 3000-4000 psi |
21-32 MPa 21-38 MPa |
ASTM D882 |
| Elongation (MD/TD) | 50-125% | ASTM D882 | |
| Modulus, Secant (MD/TD) | 185,000-200,000 psi | 1276-1379 MPa | ASTM D882 |
| Tear Strength, Graves (MD/TD) | 425-525 g/mil | ASTM D1004 | |
| Water Vapor Transmission Rate @ 100°F/ 100% RH |
0.003 gm/100 in2/day | 0.047 gm/m2/day | ASTM F1249 |
| Thermal Conductivity | 4.7 x 10-4 cal-cm/cm2sec °C | ||
| Flammability | Nonflammable | ||
| Oxygen Index | 100 | ASTD D2683 | |
ACLAR® UltRx 2000 Film
ACLAR® UltRx 2000 film is available in 2 (51µm) mil thickness and it is offered in a 11.69” x 8.27” sheet form with package quantities of 10 or 25.
| 50426-10 | ACLAR® UltRx 2000 Film, 11.69”x 8.27”, 2 Mil | 10 | 215.00 | Add to Cart |
| 50426-25 | ACLAR® UltRx 2000 Film, 11.69”x 8.27”, 2 Mil | 25 | 485.00 | Add to Cart |
ACLAR® UltRx 2000 Physical Data Sheet
(These are only typical values and are not to be interpreted as product specifications):
| Typical Value | |||
| Properties@ 73°F ~50% RH | English | Metric | Test Method |
| Gravity Specific | 2.11 | ASTM D1505 | |
| Yield 2.0 mil | 6,567 in2/lb. | 9.34 m2/kg | |
| Haze | <1% | ASTM D1003 | |
| Crystalline Melting Point | 412°F | 211°C | ASTM D4591 |
| Dimensional Stability,
10 min @ 300°F -MD -TD |
<+6% <-6% |
ASTM D1204 | |
| Tensile Strength -MD -TD |
7,000-10,000 psi 4,500-7,500 psi |
48-69 MPa 31-52 MPa |
ASTM D882 |
| Elongation (MD/TD) | 150-200% 175-250% |
ASTM D882 | |
| Modulus, Secant (MD/TD) | 170,000-200,000 psi | 1276-1379 MPa | ASTM D882 |
| Surface Tension (Treated Side) | ≥42 dynes/cm | ||
| Water Vapor Transmission Rate: |
gm/100 in2/day | gm/m2/day | ASTM F1249 |
| @ 77°F (25°C)/60% RH | 0.0012 | 0.0186 | |
| @ 86°F (30°C)/60% RH | 0.0025 | 0.0388 | |
| @ 104°F(40°C)/75% RH | 0.0066 | 0.102 | |
| @ 100°F(37.8°C)/100% RH | 0.0077 | 0.119 | |
ACLAR® Chemical Data Sheet
| Chemicals | Average Weight Increase | Visible Effect on Sample |
| Acetone | 0.5% | None |
| Butyl Alcohol | - | None |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | 1.6% | Slightly flexible |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | 0.03% | None |
| Ethyl Acetate | 6.0% | Very flexible |
| Ethyl Alcohol | None | None |
| Ethyl Ether | 5.2% | Very flexible |
| Ethylene Oxide | 4.0% | Very flexible |
| Formic Acid | None | None |
| Gasoline | None | None |
| All Acids (HCl, H2SO4..) | None | None |
| Methanol | None | None |
| Propylene Oxide | - | None |
| Toluene | 1.1 | Slightly flexible |
| Osmium Tetroxide | None | None |
| Plastisolve | - | None |
Kingsley R.E, Cole N. L.: Preparation of cultured mammalian cells for transmission and scanning electron microscopy using ACLAR® film. Journal of Electron Microscopy Technique, 10, 77-85 (1988)
Mauve G.M., Brenham J.C., Beattie, M.S.: Ultrastructure of HRP-labeled neurons: a comparison of two sensitive techniques. Brain Research Bulletin, 10, 551 (1983)
Masurovsky E.B., Bunge R.P.: Aclar Film in Biological Electron Microscopy. Journal of Electron Microscopy Technique, 12, 172-173 (1989)
Masurovsky E.B., Bunge R.P.: Fluoroplastic coverslips for long-term nerve tissue culture. Stain Technology, 43, 3, 161–165 (1968)
