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Specimen Preparation for Condoms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2018

Gan Phay Fang*
Affiliation:
Science & Technology Innovative Centre, Ansell Shah Alam Sdn Bhd, Selangor, Malaysia

Extract

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Specimen preparation techniques for Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imaging of condoms as reported by Rosenzweig et al revealed a variety of artifacts. The artifacts were classified as ridging, cracking and melting. The purpose of this article is to introduce a simple specimen preparation technique for condoms to be evaluated via SEM without any surface artifacts. This technique involves the use of two chrome washers to sandwich the condom. The sandwiched condom specimen is then subjected to coating before mounting on an aluminium stub. The execution of this technique requires patience and practice so as not to damage the condom. The method may be applied to any similar polymer material.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2007

References

1. Rosenzweig, B. A., Even, A. and Budnick, E., Contraception, Vol. 53, pp 4953, 1996.Google Scholar
2. Jay, G.D., Drummond, E. and Lane, B., Contraception, Vol. 45, pp 105 - 10, 1992.Google Scholar