Mercox™ Embedding Resin Kits

Basic information and instructions for use

SPI #02685-AB / #02686-AB / #02687-AB

Mercox is a modified acrylic casting material consisting of two components, a resin and a catalyst. Characteristics of the system include excellent permeability and infiltration properties, chemical resistance to maceration solvents, low viscosity, minimal shrinkage and the ability to cure at room temperature. "Important notice: Absolutely not for human use.

General properties
The Mercox system is an excellent choice for producing exact anatomical corrosion specimens by injection into the venous and arterial systems and subsequent maceration. Mercox yields a high degree of replicating accuracy with the ability to give clean and completely filled specimens. The thoroughness of this replication has been demonstrated with SEM of microcasts of intricate cochlear capillary beds. We would advise some familiarity with the following publication:

K. O, Hodde, A. Miodonski, C. Bakker, and W. Veltman, "Scanning Electron Microscopy of Microcorrosion Casts with Special Attention on Arterio-Venous Differences and Application to the Rat's Cochlea", Scanning Electron Microscopy Vol. 11, 477-484 (1977).

General properties and description of kit components

            Designation        Appearance       Viscosity
(25 °C)

Resin       Mercox CL-2R       Red liquid       20-30 cps
            Mercox CL-2B       Blue liquid      20-30 cps
            Mercox CL-2C       Clear liquid     20-30 cps

Catalyst    Benzoyl peroxide   White paste      --------

Polymerization
Polymerization of the complete Mercox (resin and catalyst) occurs in a relative short time frame. Care should be given to complete all preparations involving the application of Mercox prior to the actual mixing of the components. A rough guide for estimating the approximate working time (sometime called "pot life") following the mixing of catalyst with the resin is as follows:


Components                Pot life       Curetime
                               (Injectable Time)
Resin       Catalyst           
  gms        gms          in minutes     in minutes   
  20        0.4-0.5        4-5            8-10
  20        1.5-2.0        2-3            6-8

Stir the resin and catalyst thoroughly to insure complete mixing but keep in mind the relatively short pot life (e.g. the fast cure time). If a larger quantity of resin is needed, it might be wise to decrease the ratio of catalyst to provide the longer cure time needed to cast larger amounts and the concurrent risk of premature curing. Some amount of trial and error experimentation might not only be called for, it could even be desired, in order to arrive at the optimum conditions for your particular application and technique.

The polymerization is an exothermic reaction, so in order to minimize the amount of heat given off, one should work with smaller rather than larger quantities. Twenty grams of resin seems to be an ideal amount from the perspective of heating.

Some workers infuse the resin into the tissue of interest, then immerse the tissue, or often the whole animal, in hot water (60 C) for 2 hrs to overnight, depending on the size of the sample, to be absolutely certain the resin is completely cured. The resin is not soluble in water especially after polymerization, so direct immersion in the water is not a problem

Handling precautions

Not for human use, only for animal use!
Avoid all direct skin contact
Avoid breathing vapors
If skin contact occurs, wipe off liquid material with some kind of absorbent wiper such as an SPI Lint Free Cotton Wiper of the type found in many laboratories and immediate wash the affected area with soap and water.
To avoid sudden reaction, mixed quantity should be around 20 grams. A second and separate quantity will need to be prepared should more than 20 grams be required.
Base resin and catalyst should be mixed just prior to injecting. Spread out hardening paste with a glass stick to bottom of beaker, then add base resin and stir carefully making sure no bubbles are generated.
To dissolve protein, do not use hot alkali, use either 15-20% solution of KOH or NaOH, and treat five or six times.
Base resin and hardener should be kept in a dark and preferably refrigerated environment.

Storage conditions: Refrigerated storage recommended for both resin and catalyst
Mercox kit is hazardous from the standpoint of transportation

To Ask a Question or Make a Comment

To Place an Order or Request a Quote

Return to:

Saturday October 11, 2008 © Copyright 1998 - 2008. By Structure Probe, Inc.
Contacting SPI Supplies and Structure Probe, Inc.
All rights reserved.
All trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
Privacy Policy
Worldwide Distributors, Representatives, and Agents Flag logo