Microtomy for OM

Sectioning is accomplished using several types of manual and mechanical techniques. Handheld 

Specimens for microtomy must either be cut to fit in the chuck of the microtome and be self-supporting or they must be embedded in a supporting medium. Pieces of molded or extruded plastics are trimmed to fit the chuck using small saws and razor blades. In the case of films and fibers, however, the samples must be embedded in a resin for both support and orientation. The steps for mounting specimens will be described 

A glass microscope slide is put on top of a piece of graph paper to aid alignment. Fibers are placed lengthwise on the glass slide and secured at the ends with double sided tape. 

Fibers can be consolidated by tying them at intervals with a cord or yarn, preferably of a different color than the specimen. 

Samples are supported with cardboard frames, cut in a C or oval donut shape, placed under the fibers, and glued to the frame with Elmer s white glue or Eastman 910 fast drying glue. 

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Evaluation of bulk industrial material is best done by microtomy for OM, TEM, and SPM and by fracture of bulk molded or extruded samples for SEM and FESEM for determining microstructure. A brief literature review with examples of microscopy characterization of copolymers follows, but this review is not intended to reflect the thousands of studies and references on this important topic. Transmission electron microscopy is by far the most widely used characterization tool for the assessment of copolymers, and it has been used for several decades to uncover and provide understanding of copolymer microstructure. 

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