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Tips, Tricks & Techniques:
For best results using epoxy systems:
■ Mix using accurate resin to hardener ratios
■ Mix thoroughly: using a 3 cup mixing technique, mixing is
more thorough
■ Post cure heating for 2 hours at 50° C (122 °F) can increase
hardness
■ Preheating unmixed systems reduces viscosity
■ Heat mixed epoxy except EpoKwick, to decrease cure time;
every increase of 10° C (50 °F) reduces gel time by 50%.
■ Mix 25-90ml of epoxy in a single batch; mixing more than
90ml at a time can cause over-exotherming even when poured
into smaller mounts
■ Use EpoHeat® for very large mounts in single pours
■ Clean up any spills or drips with paper towel and ethanol
■ Wear gloves
■ Prepare sample under a fume hood, if possible
■ Use Cast’N Vac or Cast’N Vac 1000
■ Better to use the EPDM molds, reduces leakage
■ Use release agent to coat mold for easy removal of sample
■ For a video demonstration on measuring and mixing go to
www.buehler.com/epoheat.htm
EpoxiCure®
5:1
EpoThin®
5:1.95
EpoKwick®
5:1
Castable Mounting Compounds
What you should know:
■ Do not use disposable plastic castable mounting cups with
high exotherm systems.
■ Do not use Conductive Filler with EpoHeat® because of the low
viscosity; the filler will sink to the bottom so the entire mount
will NOT be conductive. Best to sputter coat the sample if it
needs to be conductive. Conductive Filler works with any other
Buehler Epoxy or Acrylic system.
■ EpoHeat® systems may crystallize, due to the chemical purity of
the product, ranging from gelled to rock hard consistency
inside the container. To relieve this condition, the entire
container should be placed in an oven up to 50 °C (122 °F) for
approximately two hours. If product is still crystallized after two
hours, extend the time in the oven until the crystallization is
relieved.
Castable Accessories:
Release Agent – Used for coating the mounting cup for easy
release. Use every time with EPDM mounting cups. See pg 21 for a
list of part numbers.
SamplKlip®, SamplKlip® 1, Specimen Support Clips, UniClips®
– Good for supporting sample orientation in the mounting cup.
See pg 20 for a list of part numbers.
Reusable EPDM Mounting Cups -Can use with any Castable or
Compression Mounting System. See page 19 for a list of part
numbers.
Conductive Filler - If you need conductive castable mounts for
SEM, EDS, and WDS, use Conductive Filler. See page 22 for a list of
part numbers.
Mix Quantities: Use this quick guide to estimate how much resin and hardener is needed to fill
SamplKups® of the following sizes. Estimates are measured by weight.
EpoHeat®
4:1
1” Resin 15 grams 15 grams 15 grams 12 grams 15 grams
Hardener 3 grams 5.85 grams 3 grams 3 grams 3 grams
14” ”Resin 20 grams 20 grams 20 grams 16 grams 20 grams
Hardener 4 grams 7.8 grams 4 grams 4 grams 4 grams
12” Resin 25 grams 25 grams 25 grams 20 grams 25 grams
Hardener 5 grams 9.75 grams 5 grams 5 grams 5 grams
2” Resin 40 grams 40 grams 40 grams 32 grams 40 grams
Hardener 8 grams 11.2 grams 8 grams 8 grams 8 gram
EpoColor
5:1
16 Effective 2011