Poly/Bed® 812 is an epoxy embedding resin for electron microscopy and specimen preparation. Designed as a replacement for Epon® 812, it can be used in established epoxy embedding formulations where tissue infiltration, controlled block hardness, sectioning, and beam stability are important.
Related name: Epon® 812 replacement epoxy embedding resin.
With a viscosity of 100–200 cP, Poly/Bed® 812 supports penetration into biological specimens during resin infiltration. It can be formulated with anhydride hardeners and amine accelerators to produce embedding blocks with hardness adjusted for the specimen and sectioning requirements.
Poly/Bed® 812 is used in electron microscopy workflows involving biological and materials-science specimens. Acetone or ethanol may be used during tissue dehydration, and established Poly/Bed® 812 procedures do not require propylene oxide as an intermediary before resin infiltration.
Key Properties
- Epoxy resin for specimen embedding
- Designed as a replacement for Epon® 812
- Viscosity: 100–200 cP
- Weight per epoxide (WPE): lot-specific value on the label, typically 140–160
- Used with anhydride hardeners and amine accelerators in embedding formulations
- 500 g package; catalog 08791
Applications
Electron Microscopy Embedding
Poly/Bed® 812 is used to infiltrate and embed biological specimens for electron microscopy, providing a polymerized resin matrix suitable for subsequent sectioning and imaging.
Tissue Infiltration
The relatively low viscosity of the epoxy resin supports penetration into dehydrated tissue during progressive resin infiltration.
Luft-Type Embedding Formulations
Poly/Bed® 812 can be used in Luft-type formulations with dodecenylsuccinic anhydride (DDSA), nadic methyl anhydride (NMA), and DMP-30. The formulation ratio can be adjusted to control the hardness of the cured block.
Epon® 812 Replacement Workflows
Poly/Bed® 812 is designed for use as a replacement for discontinued Epon® 812 and can be substituted in most established Epon 812 embedding formulations.
Compatibility & Bonding Considerations
- Compatible with established epoxy embedding formulations using DDSA and NMA
- DMP-30 or BDMA may be used as amine accelerators in appropriate formulations
- Acetone or ethanol may be used for specimen dehydration before infiltration
- Propylene oxide is not required as an intermediary in established Poly/Bed® 812 procedures
Final block hardness and sectioning behavior depend on the resin formulation, hardener ratio, accelerator concentration, polymerization conditions, and specimen characteristics. In Luft-type formulations, increasing DDSA produces a softer block, while increasing NMA produces a harder block.
Application Tips
- Use progressive mixtures of dehydrant and embedding resin to support complete specimen infiltration
- Add DMP-30 immediately before infiltration and embedding when using a DMP-30 formulation
- Adjust the DDSA-to-NMA ratio according to the desired block hardness and sectioning requirements
- A standard Poly/Bed® 812/DMP-30 procedure polymerizes embedded specimens at 60°C for 24 hours
Handling & Storage
- Store Poly/Bed® 812 at room temperature
- Keep the container closed when not in use
- Use with good laboratory ventilation
- Wear protective gloves and safety glasses when handling the resin
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FAQ
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1. What is Poly/Bed® 812 used for?
Poly/Bed® 812 is an epoxy embedding resin used for specimen infiltration and embedding, particularly in electron microscopy workflows involving biological and materials-science samples.
2. Is Poly/Bed® 812 a replacement for Epon® 812?
Yes. Poly/Bed® 812 was designed as a replacement for Epon® 812 and can be substituted in most established Epon 812 embedding formulations.
3. What is the viscosity of Poly/Bed® 812?
Poly/Bed® 812 has a viscosity specification of 100–200 cP at 25°C.
4. Is Poly/Bed® 812 a complete embedding kit?
No. Catalog 08791 is the Poly/Bed® 812 epoxy resin component. Complete embedding formulations also use appropriate hardeners and an accelerator, such as DDSA, NMA, and DMP-30 or BDMA, depending on the selected procedure.
5. How can block hardness be adjusted with Poly/Bed® 812?
In Luft-type formulations, block hardness is adjusted by changing the ratio of DDSA and NMA. Increasing DDSA produces a softer block, while increasing NMA produces a harder block.
Safety & Documentation
Poly/Bed® 812 can cause skin and eye irritation. Use appropriate laboratory ventilation, protective gloves, and eye protection when handling the resin. Refer to the product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and technical data sheet for complete safety, formulation, infiltration, and embedding guidance.
