SPI Supplies

SPI Chem™ Wet Surface Replica Kit

Instructions for Use:
Making the negative replicas


The area to be replicated should be selected, ideally a circular area not more than 20 mm (about 0.8 ") in diameter. If the surface need not be treated 100% non-destructively, then using a SPI # 05022-AB Diamond Scribe, an arrow or some other fiduciary mark can be applied next to the specific area of interest so that when later replicas are made from the same identical area, these identical areas can be readily located in the SEM using such landmarks.

While the optimum cure time is dependent on the quantity of catalyst used, and also the temperature, typically, several drops of catalyst in a volume of 5-10 ml of resin would result in a cure time of roughly 20-30 seconds to partial completion (no changes in the surface being replicated will be manifest in the replica) to about two to four minutes until the replica is really cured (suitable for removal and storage for conversion to a positive) . We like to wait for at least 5 minutes just to make sure that the replica is not removed too soon; waiting longer will not harm the replica, although it may annoy live subjects.

To obtain maximum working time in situations where the initial curing time is not of importance, such as inert surfaces like shoes or painted metal, as little as one drop of catalyst may be used, extending the curing time to several minutes. We recommend, however, that no more than 10 ml of resin be prepared at one time because of the difficulty of intimately mixing the two ingredients without incorporating air bubbles.

The best results are obtained by literally rubbing or massaging the curing system onto the surface being replicated (both to ensure optimum mixing of the two ingredients and to reduce the possibility of the presence of air bubbles) a second layer of resin is recommended in order to give the entire negative replica more "body", which is needed to make the negative more durable for the positive replica step.


To Ask a Question or Make a Comment

To Place an Order or Request a Quote



Return to:
Thursday February 09, 2012
© Copyright 1998 - 2012. 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