The control of temperature during polymerization of Lowicryl K4M: there is a low-temperature embedding method

Methods are described for controlling the temperature of Lowicryl K4M in flat embeddings and in capsules during polymerization under ultra-violet (UV) irradiation in an Agar UVF 35 low-temperature cabinet. Aluminium blocks or an ethanol bath are used as heat ‘sinks’. Consequently the question posed by Ashford et al. (1986) — “Is there a low-temperature embedding method?” — is answered in the affirmative. This control of temperature is particularly important when using gelatin capsules since a temperature rise of as little as 2 K results in uneven polymerization.