SPI Supplies

SPI Supplies® TEM Grid Collection

High percent open area and smooth grid bars


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SPI-tested for performance, SPI-guaranteed for quality, SPI-labeled for easy identification: SPI-Grids are the best! Compare the features of SPI-Grids to others and you will see how superior SPI-Grids truly are. If your preference is for using the very finest coated grids that are available anywhere (e.g. carbon coated, Formvar® coated, holey, SiO2, etc.), then make sure you check out our SPI Coated Grids Page. Grids do age like the rest of us except there is an age reversing process for older grids. And there are special final cleaning procedures for those requiring the very highest cleanliness in their preparation procedures. However, some kinds of grids are more likely to have to be cleaned than other grids, and some grids do not have to be cleaned at all. This is information not normally known or understood by the typical user of TEM grids.
Grid thickness:
The optimum thickness for a particular grid depends on the grid pattern itself. It is cheaper to make "thicker" grids because the yields are higher. We tend to supply grids that are on the thinner end of the thickness spectrum because for those doing tilting studies, they will always have a higher % transmission. This is the most noticed with the higher grid meshes. Thinner grids are more costly to make because of lower yields. Yet nothing is lost in terms of dimensional rigidity because of the "rim" which might vary in width depending on the amount of additional stiffness needed. If you are doing tilting studies in particular, you can be sure you are getting the best grids for your type of work if you are relying on grids from SPI Supplies.

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of different grids, different patterns, different materials of construction, not to mention the possibility of different support films, so if you are new to the TEM field, or would like to have some additional background information, consider some of the information in the SPI Guide to TEM Grid Selection.


Feature-for-feature, price-for-price, you just can't buy better grids!



Higher Quality Bars

  • Thinner, crisper bars-- absolutely no fuzz
  • Greater percent open area
  • Hydrophilic

Better Visibility

  • Shiny side/dull side for easy side discrimination
  • Center marks for easy square location/orientation

Handy Packaging

  • Color-coded labels show mesh/style/quantity
  • Large, easy-to-read print
  • Sturdy polystyrene vial

Low, Low Prices

  • Competitive prices
  • Big savings on quantity purchases (mix/match)

Ease of Use:

  • Superior dull side vs. shinny side discrimination
  • Only rarely requires any kind of additional cleaning for good section adhesion (as is the case with grids from some other suppliers).


SPI Offers our Customers the World's Largest Selection of Grid Patterns

SPI Regular Grids

  • 200 mesh example
  • 55% open area, 28 µm bar width and 90 µm grid squares. Available with >< or center mark.
  • Thickness: 0.007 mil (17.8 µm) +/- 3µm

    • SPI SuperGrids™

  • 200 mesh example
  • 70% open area, 20 µm bar width and 105 µm grid squares, with a SPI logo in the rim for easy orientation.

    • SPI Slim Bar® Grids

  • 200 mesh example
  • 84% open area, 12 µm bar width and 113 µm grid squares. The thinnest bars we've ever seen!
  • Thickness: 0.008 mil/20.3 um).
  • Ideal for viewing maximum specimen area and for working with small, delicate section fragments.

    • THE FIGURES GIVEN FOR BAR WIDTH AND HOLE WIDTH ARE FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES ONLY - THESE VALUES FOR GRIDS OF DIFFERENT MESH SIZES CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT.

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    Sunday July 05, 2009
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