SPI Diamond Knives
A Note on Preparing Specimen Blocks
Probably more damage is done to diamond knives by incorrect block
preparation than any other cause. There are possible sources of knife
edge damage from the block itself, including debris and deformed material
as the result of using an old razor blade, osmium metal crystals from
overstaining, glass particles from chipped glassware and fragments of
razor blades from too enthusiastic of a cutting technique. The last few slices in
trimming the block should always be taken with a new SPI #05025 razor blade
to minimize these problems.
The usual way to trim the polymer block containing the material to be
sectioned is in the form of a trapezoid, with the base of the trapezoid
parallel to the cutting edge of the knife. The block should be cleaned
after trimming, using "compressed" gas, or a spray of distilled water,
followed by blowing dry with compressed gas. Tap water should never be
used, because the unknown quantities and varying levels of dissolved
minerals may form deposits on the block which produce artifacts on the
sections.
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Friday August 08, 2008
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