Bio-Plastic

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Description

[Aldon Corp., Avon, NY] A registered trademark for a clear blue-green, liquid polyester resin commonly used to form cast plastic molds and mount cross sections. Bio-Plastic® is a blend of polyester and methacrylate monomers in a styrene solvent. A methyl ethyl ketone peroxide catalyst is used to speed curing time. Bio-Plastic® resin cures to produce clear rigid blocks. It is used as a casting resin for biological specimens and as a mounting medium for cross sectional analysis of paint chips. For paint cross sections, polyester resins can infiltrate porous paints and grounds. This can result in a slight discoloration of the sample as well as hinder organic analysis such as staining and infrared microspectroscopy (Derrick et al 1994). The styrene monomer in the polyester resin is a strong solvent that can also dissolve wax and resin layers.

Note: The methyl ethyl ketone peroxide catalyst solution also contains: dimethyl phthalate, 2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentaediol diisobuterate, hexylene glycol, methyl ethyl ketone, water, hydrogen peroxide.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Bioplastic (sp); Polylite®

Risks

  • Highly flammable.
  • Moderately toxic by inhalation.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Heating to 40-50 C accelerates cure.

Boiling Point about 121 C

Resources and Citations

  • M.Derrick, L.Souza, T.Kieslich, H.Florsheim, D.Stulik, "Embedding Paint Cross-Section Samples in Polyester Resins: Problems and Solutions" JAIC 33(3), 1994, p. 227-45.
  • Richard C. Wolbers, Nanette T. Sterman, Chris Stavroudis, Notes for Workshop on New Methods in the Cleaning of Paintings, J.Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 1990
  • MSDS Sheet Comment: at MFA
  • Product Information Comment: Bottle labels