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The successful preparation and finishing of
plastinated specimens primarily depends on the use
of appropriate polymers and compatible hardeners
and additives. Thus, plastination from the beginning
was tied to the development of polymer systems
suited to its purposes. During almost 30 years
of research, Gunther von Hagens, the inventor
of plastination, has tested numerous classes of
polymers and hundreds of polymer compositions.
Only a select few of them have proved to be able
to fulfill in the long-term the complex requirements
regarding polymer chemistry, processing time,
tissue compatibility, polymer aging, yellowing, etc.
and to enable the preparation and finishing of high
quality specimens. These special polymers are now
available under the BIODUR® trade name.
Due to
the complex nature of the polymer systems required
for plastination, we always recommend purchasing
entire polymer kits, i.e., the polymers together
with the matching hardeners and additives in the
quantities required. This holds especially true for
plastination beginners. Experience has shown that
the use of unsuitable combinations of polymers may
cause significant complications, such as:
(a) Insufficient impregnation or curing of the specimens
due to de-mixing of the polymer components under
vacuum conditions or the incomplete chemical binding
of monomers and hardeners due to stoichiometric
imbalances of the reactive mixture. Both chemical
effects will lead to stickiness and unpleasant odors
of the specimens, and in case of duromers may also
cause tension cracks.
(b) Over the years, polymers may release compounds
that have not completely hardened, and these may in
turn cause skin irritations.
(c) Depolymerization due to secondary unintended
reactions of chemical compounds of the plastinated
tissues with compounds of the polymer mixtures.
These may only become manifest years after the
specimen has been produced.
Due to the complexity of the various techniques
involved in plastination, it is a policy of BIODUR®
Products to sell plastination polymers only directly
to plastination users. Avoiding resellers enables us to
best share our plastination expertise with plastinators
worldwide, and to offer them technical support and
consultation according to the current plastination
state of the art.
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