Cargille™ Immersion Oils

The world wide standard for quality in immersion oils

Introduction to immersion oils:
When the FDA (U. S. Food and Drug Administration) set general purpose reagent criteria under the classification of In Vitro Diagnostics in the 1970's, the Cargille family of immersion oils were already in full compliance. Cargille Laboratories as a manufacturer, is known to microscope users for both innovation and high quality.

The first non-drying immersion oil was originated by Cargille Laboratories and announced in 1940. Since then, Cargille has maintained its leadership by introducing the first oils with high viscosity, low fluorescence, fully published optical and physical properties, technical services supported by a dedicated Refractive Index R&D Laboratory capable of primary calibrations and computer modeling of new formulations and their properties. Often times one forgets that the real advantage of a non-drying oil is that it will not change properties when exposed to the atmosphere.

Now five standard types are available with the introduction of Type NVH, an intermediate, very high viscosity oil.

Selection of the Right Oil:

For Normal Light Microscopy:

Types A and B, with viscosities of 150 and 1250 cSt (centistokes), respectively, meet these requirements. The greater the gap between cover glass and objective, or condenser and slide, the more desirable high viscosity becomes. For extremely large gaps, Type NVH or VH should be used. Be aware of the optical and physical properties of these immersion oils. Users trying to decide which to purchase often times ask "which is the most popular". The answer is of course quite application dependent but we do sell more of A and B and of NVH. When there is a larger rather than smaller gap between the cover slip and the objective, Type B is probably the better choice. On the other hand, Type A is less messy and is easier to clean up. For horizontal, inclined, and inverted systems, Type NVH with its high viscosity is the more obvious choice.

All Cargille Immersion Oils are infinitely miscible with each other and can be blended for intermediate viscosities. If intermediate viscosities are routinely used, let us know and we can quote on your specific requirements.

For Horizontal, Inverted and Inclined Instruments and Projection Equipment:

Higher viscosities are generally required and we can offer a selection of extra high viscosity immersion oils for this purpose. If these high viscosity oils are not used, then the fluid can run out of place and on to surfaces where the are not wanted. Types NVH and OVH meet such requirements having viscosities of 21,000 and 46,000 cSt respectively.

High Viscosity Immersion Oil for Use at Body Temperature
Immersion Oil Type 37 is useful for microscopic studies at body temperatures. Since the index/temperature relationship is inverse, increasing temperature significantly reduces the index of the immersion oil and consequently the imagery deteriorates. The solution to this problem has been the formulation of this 37°C immersion oil or Immersion Oil Type 37.

For Fluorescence Microscopy:

Two very low (one is actually zero) fluorescence products are available:

Immersion Oil Type DF is the highest resolution of all immersion oils for fluorescence microscopy and it also exhibits extremely low background fluorescence. Whatever background fluorescence is in fact observed could be described as being "pale green".
Immersion Oil Type FF has virtually zero fluorescence and therefore it is the worldwide immersion oil of choice when low levels of fluorescence are being detected in samples. It is clear like water (in some parts of the world it would be described as being "water white"), is non-hydroscopic and very stable. We sometimes call this the "universal" oil, since it can be directly substituted for virtually any other immersion oil being used in just about any fluorescence microscopy applications with results that are either equal to or better than what was being obtained prior to the change. One final thought: The viscosity of DF is much higher than FF, hence it is preferred for inverted applications.

For Automated Hematology Systems and General Light Microscopy Type 300 Immersion Oil is formulated to be PCB-free and to comply with instrument specifications. This product is of course made to exacting specifications.

Be familiar with the complete optical and physical properties of both Type DF and Type FF.

Special Properties and Applications:
Because of widespread availability, consistent quality and close specifications, Cargille Oils are used as temporary mounting media, fluid mounts (permitting specimen rotation), calibration liquids, optical coupling fluids, combination protective coating and examination fluid, transparency medium for translucent materials, and membrane filter clearing agent.

One more time, it is important to note that all Cargille oils for microscopy are 100% PCB-free and are offered in three different viscosities but which can be easily mixed for any required intermediate viscosity. Each bottle includes a convenient and easy-to-use glass applicator in a screw down cap.

Certification Statements:
Such statements are available for additional cost at the time of original purchase.

Compliance Information:
Type DF and NVH meet the ISO 8036-1 standard which incorporates or supersedes DIN 58 884.

Lens cleaning information:
Occasionally, dry objective lenses get contaminated with oil. Follow these easy-to-follow instructions for returning the lens back to usable condition.

Available Products

Immersion Oils For Normal Light Microscopy

Type A: (Low viscosity)
Code 1248

This is the lowest viscosity (150 centistokes) of the different fluids and exhibits low fluorescence for short focus objectives.

Size	SPI #	Each	10+, Each	In Stock
30 ml (1 fl. oz.)	04105-AB	$ 6.50	$ 5.85	Yes
120 ml (4 fl. oz.)	04105A-AB	14.20	12.78	Yes
480 ml (16 fl. oz)	04105B-AB	31.20	28.08	Yes

Type B: (High Viscosity)
Code 1248

High viscosity (1,250 centistokes), used for medical work. The biggest difference between Type A vs. Type B is the viscosity, with Type B being the more viscous of the two. The selection between the two liquids is in large part made with the goal of filling the space between objective and cover slip. The larger this gap is, the more viscous of an oil should be used. This seems to be the preferred oil for classroom applications because students find it more easy to use.

Size	SPI #	Each	10+, Each	In Stock
30 ml (1 fl. oz.)	04106-AB	$ 6.50	$ 5.85	Yes
120 ml (4 fl. oz.)	04106A-AB	14.20	12.78	Yes
480 ml (16 fl. oz)	04106B-AB	31.20	28.08	Yes

Extra High Viscosity Fluids

Type NVH:
Code 658

High viscosity (21,000 centistokes), for inverted, horizontal and inclined instruments, very long focus objectives and wide condenser gaps.

Size	SPI #	Each	10+, Each	In Stock
30 ml (1 fl. oz.)	04107-AB	$ 8.50	$ 7.65	Yes
120 ml (4 fl. oz.)	04107A-AB	19.00	17.10	Yes
480 ml (16 fl. oz)	04107B-AB	43.70	39.33	Yes

Type OVH (Highest viscosity)
Code 658

Highest viscosity (46,000 cSt), for inverted, horizontal and inclined instruments, very long focus objectives and wide condenser gaps.

Size	SPI #	Each	10+, Each	In Stock
30 ml (1 fl. oz.)	04093-AB	$ 8.50	$ 7.65	Yes
120 ml (4 fl. oz.)	04093A-AB	19.00	17.10	Yes
480 ml (16 fl. oz)	04093B-AB	43.70	39.33	Yes

Type 37: (High viscosity for use at 37°C)
Code 859

Viscosity is 1250 cSt (at 37°C), for work at body temperatures.

Size	SPI #	Each	10+, Each	In Stock
30 ml (1 fl. oz.)	04092-AB	$ 8.50	$ 7.65	Yes
120 ml (4 fl. oz.)	04092A-AB	19.00	17.10	No
480 ml (16 fl. oz)	04092B-AB	43.70	39.33	No

For Fluorescence Microscopy
Be familiar with the complete optical and physical properties of both Type DF, Type FF, and Type HF. To compliment the tables of information, we summarize as follows: Extremely low fluorescence is achieved by Type DF and Type HF. Type FF is virtually fluorescence-free, though not ISO compliant. Type HF is slightly more fluorescent than Type DF, but is halogen-free. For most non-critical fluorescence microscopy applications, Types A and B are sufficiently low fluorescing. Viscosities for Type DF, HF, and FF are 330 cSt, 700 cSt and 170 cSt, respectively. Types A and B are 150 cSt and 1250 cSt.

Type DF: (Highest resolution, low fluorescence, highest viscosity)
Code 1261

Size	SPI #	Each	10+, Each	In Stock
30 ml (1 fl. oz.)	04108-AB	$ 10.30	$ 9.27	Yes
120 ml (4 fl. oz.)	04108A-AB	22.50	20.25	Yes
480 ml (16 fl. oz)	04108B-AB	53.00	47.70	Yes

Type FF: (Lowest fluorescence)
Code 159

Size	SPI #	Each	10+, Each	In Stock
30 ml (1 fl. oz.)	04109-AB	$ 9.80	$ 8.82	Yes
120 ml (4 fl. oz.)	04109A-AB	21.50	19.35	Yes
480 ml (16 fl. oz)	04109B-AB	50.50	45.45	Yes

Type HF: Slightly more fluorescent than Type DF but it is completely halogen free.
Code 368

Size	SPI #	Each	10+, Each	In Stock
30 ml (1 fl. oz.)	04090-AB	$ 10.30	$ 9.27	Yes
120 ml (4 fl. oz.)	04090A-AB	22.50	20.25	Yes
480 ml (16 fl. oz)	04090B-AB	53.00	47.70	Yes

Type 300: (For Automated Hematology Systems and General Light Microscopy)
Code 1248

Size	SPI #	Each	10+, Each	In Stock
30 ml (1 fl. oz.)	04091-AB	$ 8.00	$ 7.20	Yes
120 ml (4 fl. oz.)	04091A-AB	17.50	15.75	No
480 ml (16 fl. oz)	04091B-AB	40.00	36.00	No

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