[Histonet] hard vs. soft paraffin

[Jackie O'Connor]

The melting point of paraffin depends on the polymer % in the product.  The higher the polymer content, the higher the melting point.  Ideally, your paraffin hardness should mimic the tissue hardness, i.e., harder paraffins for bone, 'softer' paraffins for delicate biopsies.  But, most busy labs don't have the time or the resources to use multiple paraffins, so they choose one best suited for multiple tissue types.  What type of tissue are you having compression problems with? 


-----Original Message-----
From: Clare Thornton <CThornton <@t> dahlchase.com>
To: 'histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu' <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Sent: Mon, Mar 19, 2012 1:14 pm
Subject: [Histonet] hard vs. soft paraffin


What constitutes "hard" paraffin vs. "soft" paraffin?  Is it just melting point?  
What are the characteristics of hard and soft paraffins?  How does water bath 
temperature play a role?  Which is preferable for avoiding compression of 
tissue?

thanks,
Clare

Clare J. Thornton, HTL(ASCP), QIHC
Assistant Histology Supervisor
Dahl-Chase Diagnostic Services
417 State Street, Suite 540
Bangor, ME 04401
cthornton <@t> dahlchase.com

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