Film Casting Device for TEM Grids including Formvar solution and TEM Grids

The film casting device includes:

• 500ml size flask with two valves, one for air-in and one for air-out
• Film casting cylinder that holds about 30-40ml of solution and is connected to the flask by two springs
• Cylinder cap
• Atomizer bulb, serves as pump

The Film Casting Device for TEM Grids is an all glass apparatus that casts uniformly thin films of formvar, parlodion (Nitrocellulose), or butvar (Polyvinylbutyral: PVB) directly onto 75x25mm microscope slides.

A built-in fine-pressure-release valve helps control the speed of drainage. The thickness of the film is controlled by the concentration of the film solution and the rate of the drainage. The unit requires 100ml of film casting solution to start. The film casting solution can be used repeatedly.

To coat a slide:

• Connect the Atomizer to the air-in stopcock (blue)
• Remove the Film Casting Cylinder by removing the two holding springs
• Lift the cylinder very carefully all the way up and out of the flask. The long shaft is very fragile!!
• Pour about 100ml of film casting solution into the flask. Formvar solution (E15820); Parlodion solution (E12620); Butvar solution (E11850).
• Return the Film Casting Cylinder to the flask and secure with the two holding springs.
• Lower a clean, dry microscope slide into the Film Casting Cylinder and put the dust cover cup on
• Turn off the air-out valve (black) and turn on the air-in stopcock (blue)

To drain the solution:

• Turn off the air-in stopcock (blue)
• The solution is drained by venting the pressure via the air-out valve (black). The drainage rate can be controlled by manipulating the air-out valve (black) by slowly loosen the valve.
• Fast drainage for thicker films. Slow drainage for thinner films
• Remove the slide and let it dry