Cellulose acetate sheets and tape provide a quick and convenient means of replicating surfaces, particularly from large objects which cannot be sectioned. They soften in acetone, allowing them to be applied to surfaces which have been pre-wetted with acetone, then the replica can be stripped when dry. For fine detail, positive replicas can be made by coating the surface with carbon and then dissolving away the acetate sheet with acetone. The carbon replicas can then be examined in the TEM. Alternatively, the replicated surface can be covered with a conductive coating and examined by SEM as a negative replica.
Supplied in packs of 20 sheets, or as tape in a convenient dispenser.