ACLAR® Film

Epoxy embedments sandwiched between ACLAR® sheets

ACLAR® pulled away from the flat specimen embedment.

Cut out the area of interest and glue it on a 00 cylinder for sectioning.

5/16" (7.9mm)
3/8" (9.5mm)
7/16 (11.1mm)
1/2" (12.7mm)

For comparative TEM and SEM procedures, cut an ACLAR® circle in half and compare the two after fixation (Kingsley3); use a blunt needle to mark.

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Press between glass plates

Fresh material is cut on a Vibratome®, treated with HRP and placed on ACLAR cut into a slide shape - observe under LM - if OK, process for TEM on the slide.

see Kingsley3 for explanation of most points below

separates easily from epoxy

transparent fluorinated-chlorinated thermoplastic which contains no volatile components

chemically inert, for all practical purposes

cells adhere to it readily and remain attached after fixation, dehydration and critical point drying or embedding

accepts heavy metal sputter coating

stable in the scanning electron microscope; melting point 202°C

ACLAR® is as transparent as glass

fluorescence microscopy possible since ACLAR® exhibits no detectable autofluorescence

can be sectioned and does not damage ultramicrotomy knives

considerably simplifies the preparation of cultured cells for all types of microscopy

sterilizable

gives flat sections

smooth surface makes light microscopy observations possible

does not degrade under UV or gamma ray radiation

used as an O2 barrier when flat embedding methacrylate or acrylic resins

Description and Ordering ACLAR® Film

The 1968 paper1 by E. B. Masurovsky and R.P. Bunge was the first to describe and clearly demonstrate the useful chemical and physical properties of ACLAR® for both tissue culture and electron microscopic purposes. It was first used in the space program and its properties were found to be interesting for biomedical research (personal communication, Dr. E. Masurovsky). Subsequent work by others developed ACLAR's applications; attention is brought to that done by Mawe, et al 2, and the comprehensive ACLAR study by Kingsley and Cole3.

ACLAR overcomes a number of problems regarding the processing of tissue culture cells, epoxy embedments, sectioning and observations because of its chemical inertness, non-stick property, glass clarity, flexibility and smooth surface. It may be cut with scissors or blades and does not damage microtomy knives. It is unsurpassed in moisture barrier protection, transparent to UV and is plasticizer and stabilizer free. It is nonflammable, nonaging and has a low dielectric constant and dissipation. It is high in dielectric strength. ACLAR can be sterilized3.

ACLAR® is offered in sheet form, 8 x 12.5" in package quantities of 10 or 25.

Larger cuts or quantities - inquire

Ordering

Prod #	Description	Unit	Price	Order / Quote
10501-10	ACLAR Plastic Film, 8 x 12.5" (203x318mm)	pkg/10	$43.60	Qty:
10501-25	ACLAR Plastic Film, 8 x 12.5" (203x318mm)	pkg/25	94.60	Qty:

References, ACLAR® Film

1. Masurovsky EB, Bunge RP: Fluoroplastic coverslips for long-term nerve tissue culture. Stain Technology, 43, 3, 161-165 (1968)

2. Mawe GM, Bresnahan JC, Beattie, MS: Ultrastructure of HRP-labelled neurons: a comparison of two sensitive techniques. Brain Research Bulletin, 10, 551 (1983)

3. Kingsley RE, Cole NL: Preparation of cultured mammalian cells for transmission and scanning electron microscopy using Aclar film. J of Electron Microscopy Technique, 10, 77-85 (1988)