Adhesives, Nonconductive

Tempfix™ is a non-conductive thermoplastic hot melt adhesive resin, especially formulated for SEM studies. It does not contain solvents and is stable under high vacuum. Its adhesive characteristics appear in the 40-120°C range. Melting starts at 40°C and it becomes a thin fluid at 120°C, displaying a wide viscosity range. It has a very smooth surface and can be used in SEM imaging without interfering background.

Preparing specimens requires a hot plate or heating block, aluminum sheets of 10 x10 x 0.25mm used as specimen mounts, a metal cooling block and a pin stub type specimen holder with a side clamping screw on top. The aluminum sheet is warmed up to about 120°C and a small amount of Tempfix™ is applied and smoothed over the sheet. Excess resin is removed. After the sheet has cooled down, Tempfix™ is a solid smooth plastic surface. Particulate or other small samples may be sprinkled or applied on the solid plastic surface and the sheet is gently heated above 40°C to the desired viscosity. Use temperature to control viscosity and how far the particulates "sink" into the adhesive.

Remove the sheet and cool it quickly on a metal block. Delicate specimens will likely not suffer heat damage. A thin conductive coating (sputtering or evaporation) might be needed for optimum imaging results. The aluminum sheet with the specimen can either be mounted on the supplied pin mount adapter with clamping screw or can be mounted on a specific SEM mount with a conductive adhesive carbon tab.

Technical Notes, Tempfix™ Adhesive Specimen Mount Set (91KB PDF)
I - 16030 SDS (116KB PDF)

PELCO^® High Performance Ceramic Adhesive

The PELCO^® High Performance Ceramic Adhesive has been especially developed for bonding and sealing ceramics, metals, quartz and glass for high vacuum, high temperature and cryo applications. It is a dispersion of alumina in an inorganic silicate aqueous solution. Comes in the form of a paste and can be easily applied with a brush or a spatula. Good mechanical strength is achieved within minutes at room temperature. Curing schedule is 2 hours at 93°C (200°F). Full properties are reached after curing. It provides both low electrical and thermal conductivity. Sold in 2 sizes: a container holding 1 pint (473ml) or a container holding 50 grams (approx. 22ml).

Technical Notes, PELCO® High Performance Ceramic Adhesive (106KB PDF)
I - 16026, 16026-10 SDS (109KB PDF)

• One component, easy to use system
• Inorganic system without VOC’s or hydrocarbons – high vacuum compatible
• Wide temperature range – Cryogenic to 1650°C (3000°F)
• High electrical and thermal resistance
• Good mechanical strength
• High chemical resistance

For conductive applications consider Product #16047

The PELCO^® Pro cyanoacrylate based instant or super glues are ideal for repair, sample preparation, assembly and bonding dissimilar materials. Clear, fast curing cyanoacrylate without mixing or additional heat applied.
Available in sets of small tubes with 5x2gr, 20ml bottle with dispenser tip or 20gr dispenser tube. To cover a large range of applications, different viscosities with different curing times are offered.

Cyanoacrylate Brand Cross Reference and Technical Data

PELCO^® Pro C100 Cyanoacrylate Glue

PELCO^® Pro C100 CA glue has a viscosity of 100cps and a curing time of 4-10seconds, clear. Use to bond plastic, glass, ceramic, rubber to metal with moderately smooth surfaces, not ideal for porous materials. General purpose cyanoacrylate glue. Suitable for many applications.

Cyanoacrylate Brand Cross Reference and Technical Data
I - 14460, 14470 SDS (213KB PDF)

PELCO^® Pro F5 Cyanoacrylate Glue - low odor / low bloom (frosting)

PELCO^® Pro F5 CA glue is a very fast bonding cyanoacrylate with a viscosity of 5cps with a curing time of 2-4 seconds, clear. Use for high speed bonding of dissimilar materials with smooth surfaces and minimal gap (0.002” / 50µm), superior wicking properties. Not suitable for porous materials.

Cyanoacrylate Brand Cross Reference and Technical Data
I - 14462 SDS (137KB PDF)

PELCO^® Pro C5 Cyanoacrylate Glue

PELCO^® Pro C5 CA glue is a fast bonding cyanoacrylate with a viscosity of 5cps and a curing time of 5-10 seconds. Use to bond any combination of metals, glass, plastics, rubber, ceramics or glass with smooth surfaces and minimal gap (0.002” / 50µm), excellent wicking properties. Not suitable for porous material due to the low viscosity.

Cyanoacrylate Brand Cross Reference and Technical Data
I - 14464, 14474 SDS (213KB PDF)

PELCO^® Pro C300 Cyanoacrylate Glue

PELCO^® Pro C300 CA glue has a higher viscosity with a longer curing time. Ideally suited when more careful positing is needed, surfaces are not smooth or for gaps up to 0.006” (150µm). Curing time 10-15 seconds.

Cyanoacrylate Brand Cross Reference and Technical Data
I - 14465 SDS (213KB PDF)

PELCO^® Pro C1000 Cyanoacrylate Glue

PELCO^® Pro C1000 CA glue has a high viscosity and a longer curing time. Ideally suited when more careful positioning is needed, surfaces are not smooth or for gaps up to 0.008” (200µm). Curing time 10-15 seconds.

PELCO^® Pro CA-Gel Cyanoacrylate Glue

PELCO^® Pro CA-Gel glue is a gel type cyanoacrylate with high viscosity, excellent gap fill up to 0.10” (250um) and extended curing time 20-25 seconds. Use to bond rough surfaces and repositioning after initial contact. Can also be mixed with Fine Conductive Powders below for a super fast drying, conductive adhesive.

Loctite^® 404 Quick-Set

PELCO easiSlicer™ and other vibratory tissue slicing applications. Also for other quick-set tissue-slide uses.
0.33 oz. / 9.3g / 10ml
I - SDS (207KB PDF)

(also see PELCO® Tissue Adhesive)

3M™ Adhesive Remover

Powerful replacement for mineral spirits, solvents and other unfriendly cleaners. Ideally suited for removing used grinding/lapping/polishing discs with PSA backing from their support discs. New food-grade citrus-based 3M™ Adhesive Remover is also very effective in removing overspray of any aerosol adhesives, grease, oil, grime, tape residue, tar, wax, etc. A solvent-free formulation that provides wipe-away convenience with no filmy residue. No CFC's.

Active ingredient is listed as GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) for food contact applications under FDA21 CFR 182.20.

Flammable propellent (propane). Note: Not for sale in California.
I, F - SDS (48KB PDF)

Glue Gun

low temperature model

Glue Guns provide practical adhesive uses for certain applications. Leo Barish’s papers referenced below and others not mentioned cover this subject.

A thermoplastic glue stick is used with a gun-type design to melt the glue and allow its application, for example, to an SEM specimen mount. Heavier and/or larger specimens, which might move during study when held with a tape or disc adhesive, will hold firmly in place when this type of adhesive is used to "seat" the specimen. Carbon coating the specimen and the adhesive will permit an electrical discharge path. A lower temperature range (100° to 120°C / 212°- 248°F) is preferable, such as our model 16068 to avoid possible damage to heat sensitive specimens. (Normal temperature for standard high temperature glue guns is in the 190° to 210°C / 374° to 410°F range). The glue hardens quickly so the specimen should be positioned promptly upon glue application. If repositioning is required, the glue may be softened with the Glue Gun.
Porous specimens such as felt with a poor discharge path may accept a track of glue over its surface to reduce such static. Granular specimens may be sprinkled onto the hardening surface.

References:
Barish L, August 1990. The Use of the Common Glue Gun in Light and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Paper presented at INTER/MICRO-90, Chicago, 19-22.
Barish L, 1992. Mounting of Specimens for SEM with the Common Glue Gun. Proc 50th Ann Meeting of the Elec Mic Soc of America. pp 410-411.