scholarly journals Polyester or epoxy: assessing embedding product efficacy in paleohistological methods

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e10495
Author(s):  
Christian T. Heck ◽  
Gwyneth Volkmann ◽  
Holly N. Woodward
Keyword(s):  
Epoxy Resin ◽  
Histological Examination ◽  
Polyester Resin ◽  
Material Loss ◽  
Polyester Resins ◽  
Tissue Microstructure ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Fossil Material ◽  
Hard Tissues ◽  
Fossil Bones

Histological examination of bone microstructure provides insight into extant and extinct vertebrate physiology. Fossil specimens sampled for histological examination are typically first embedded in an inexpensive polyester resin and then cut into thin sections, mounted on slides, and polished for viewing. Modern undecalcified bone is chemically processed prior to embedding in plastic resin, sectioning, mounting, and polishing. Conversely, small fossil material and modern undecalcified bone are typically embedded in higher priced epoxy resin because these specimen types require final sections near or below 100 µm thick. Anecdotal evidence suggests thin sections made of polyester resin embedded material polished thinner than 100 µm increases likelihood of sample peeling, material loss, and is unsuitable for modern tissue and small fossil material. To test this assertion, a sample of modern bones and fossil bones, teeth, and scales were embedded in either polyester resin or epoxy resin. Embedded specimens were sectioned and mounted following standard published protocol. Thin sections were ground on a lapidary wheel using decreasing grit sizes until tissue microstructure was completely discernible when viewed under a polarizing light microscope. Additionally, eight prepared thin sections (four from polyester resin embedded specimens and four from epoxy resin embedded specimens) were continuously ground on a lapidary wheel using 600 grit carbide paper until peeling occurred or material integrity was lost. Slide thickness when peeling occurred was measured for comparing slide thickness when specimen integrity was lost between the two resin types. Final slide thickness ranged from 38 µm to 247 µm when tissue was identifiable using a polarizing microscope. Finished slide thickness varied between resin types despite similar tissue visibility. However, finished slide thickness appears more dependent on hard tissue composition than resin type. Additionally, we did not find a difference of slide thickness when material was lost between resin types. The results of this preliminary study suggest that polyester resins can be used for embedding undecalcified modern hard tissues and fossilized hard tissues without loss of tissue visibility or material integrity, at least in the short term.

scholarly journals Towards Selection Charts for Epoxy Resin, Unsaturated Polyester Resin and Their Fibre-Fabric Composites with Flame Retardants

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1181
Author(s):  
Noha Ramadan ◽  
Mohamed Taha ◽  
Angela Daniela La Rosa ◽  
Ahmed Elsabbagh
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Flame Retardant ◽  
Epoxy Resin ◽  
Flame Retardancy ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Polyester Resin ◽  
Unsaturated Polyester ◽  
Polymeric Materials ◽  
Polyester Resins ◽  
Thermosetting Polymers

Epoxy and unsaturated polyester resins are the most used thermosetting polymers. They are commonly used in electronics, construction, marine, automotive and aircraft industries. Moreover, reinforcing both epoxy and unsaturated polyester resins with carbon or glass fibre in a fabric form has enabled them to be used in high-performance applications. However, their organic nature as any other polymeric materials made them highly flammable materials. Enhancing the flame retardancy performance of thermosetting polymers and their composites can be improved by the addition of flame-retardant materials, but this comes at the expense of their mechanical properties. In this regard, a comprehensive review on the recent research articles that studied the flame retardancy of epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin and their composites were covered. Flame retardancy performance of different flame retardant/polymer systems was evaluated in terms of Flame Retardancy index (FRI) that was calculated based on the data extracted from the cone calorimeter test. Furthermore, flame retardant selection charts that relate between the flame retardancy level with mechanical properties in the aspects of tensile and flexural strength were presented. This review paper is also dedicated to providing the reader with a brief overview on the combustion mechanism of polymeric materials, their flammability behaviour and the commonly used flammability testing techniques and the mechanism of action of flame retardants.

scholarly journals Synthesis, Characterization and Testing of Antimicrobial Activity of Composites of Unsaturated Polyester Resins with Wood Flour and Silver Nanoparticles

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1122
Author(s):  
Przemysław Pączkowski ◽  
Andrzej Puszka ◽  
Malgorzata Miazga-Karska ◽  
Grażyna Ginalska ◽  
Barbara Gawdzik
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Polyester Resin ◽  
Wood Flour ◽  
Unsaturated Polyester ◽  
Thermomechanical Properties ◽  
Resin Composites ◽  
Polyester Resins ◽  
Before And After

This paper presents the properties of the wood-resin composites. For improving their antibacterial character, silver nanoparticles were incorporated into their structures. The properties of the obtained materials were analyzed in vitro for their anti-biofilm potency in contact with aerobic Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis; and aerobic Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These pathogens are responsible for various infections, including those associated with healthcare. The effect of silver nanoparticles incorporation on mechanical and thermomechanical properties as well as gloss were investigated for the samples of composites before and after accelerating aging tests. The results show that bacteria can colonize in various wrinkles and cracks on the composites with wood flour but also the surface of the cross-linked unsaturated polyester resin. The addition of nanosilver causes the death of bacteria. It also positively influences mechanical and thermomechanical properties as well as gloss of the resin.

Demountable polished extra-thin sections and their use in transmission electron microscopy

1981 ◽  
Vol 44 (335) ◽  
pp. 357-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Barber
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Epoxy Resin ◽  
Essential Feature ◽  
Heterogeneous Materials ◽  
Glass Slide ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Polished Side

The advantages of polished ultra-thin sections (PUTS) in the study of very fine-grained materials, such as occur in some meteorites, have been illustrated by Fredriksson et al. (1978) whose technique is based on the earlier work of Beauchamp and WiUiford (1974). An essential feature of such methods for friable and heterogeneous materials is the use of a medium, usually an epoxy resin, to consolidate and partially impregnate them. Normally one polished side of the specimen is bonded to a glass slide during preparation, and the finished PUTS are integral with the slide on completion. PUTS are typically 2-5 microns in thickness.

scholarly journals Three-dimensional visualization of fossil flowers, fruits, seeds, and other plant remains using synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM): new insights into Cretaceous plant diversity

2014 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 684-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Else Marie Friis ◽  
Federica Marone ◽  
Kaj Raunsgaard Pedersen ◽  
Peter R. Crane ◽  
Marco Stampanoni
Keyword(s):  
Synchrotron Radiation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Fossil Plants ◽  
Post Processing ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Rapid Acquisition ◽  
Fossil Material ◽  
Plant Fossil

The application of synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM) to the study of mesofossils of Cretaceous age has created new possibilities for the three-dimensional visualization and analysis of the external and internal structure of critical plant fossil material. SRXTM provides cellular and subcellular resolution of comparable or higher quality to that obtained from permineralized material using thin sections or the peel technique. SRXTM also has the advantage of being non-destructive and results in the rapid acquisition of large quantities of data in digital form. SRXTM thus refocuses the effort of the investigator from physical preparation to the digital post-processing of X-ray tomographic data, which allows great flexibility in the reconstruction, visualization, and analysis of the internal and external structure of fossil material in multiple planes and in two or three dimensions. A review of recent applications in paleobotany demonstrates that SRXTM will dramatically expand the level of information available for diverse fossil plants. Future refinement of SRXTM approaches that further increases resolution and eases digital post-processing, will transform the study of mesofossils and create new possibilities for advancing paleobotanical knowledge. We illustrate these points using a variety of Cretaceous mesofossils, highlighting in particular those cases where SRXTM has been essential for resolving critical structural details that have enhanced systematic understanding and improved phylogenetic interpretations.

Notizen: Oxidized p-Phenylenediamine Staining of Epoxy Resin Sections

1984 ◽  
Vol 39 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 835-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Stockert ◽  
R. Armas-Portela ◽  
O. D. Colman ◽  
J. M. Ferrer ◽  
A. Tato
Keyword(s):  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Epoxy Resin ◽  
Gold Chloride ◽  
Animal Tissues ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Chloride Solutions ◽  
General Morphology

Abstract Semithin and thin sections of glutaraldehyde-fixed, epoxy resin-embedded animal tissues were treated with solutions of oxidized p-phenylenediamine (PPD). This method is suitable to reveal the general morphology of tissues in light microscopy, showing a high staining degree in some polyanion containing components. Posttreatments of thin sections with gold chloride solutions give consider­ able electron opacity in PPD positive structures.

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