How to cure canadian balsam?

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mpan
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2015 4:20 pm

How to cure canadian balsam?

Post by mpan »

I found some Canadian balsam and put a drop on slide that I wanted to preserve from several years ago. Do I need to add heat to cure it or will it cure on its own?...also, here's a pic from the slide

Image
Mike

Olympusman
Posts: 5090
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:31 pm

Canadian Balsam

Post by Olympusman »

Canadian Balsam on a slide and under a cover slip initially "cures" (dries) from the edges toward the center. Once the edges have dried, the resin in the center may stay viscous for some time. This is why it is important to protect fresh mounts from heat and sunlight. Forcing the drying process (such as putting the slide on a sunny window sill) may cause the solvent in the resin to create bubbles.

Mike
Michael Reese Much FRMS EMS Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

mpan
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2015 4:20 pm

Post by mpan »

thank you for the information. Not knowing how to dry the slide I just set it aside and it's been sitting there since. Thanks again.
Mike

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