Cellulose acetate tape provides a quick and convenient way for replicating surfaces particularly from samples which can not be sectioned or investigated directly. They soften in acetone and can be applied to a surface which has been wet with acetone. They are stripped off when dry. Thicknesses of 22 is used for finer detail replication.For fine detail, positive replicas can be made by coating the surface of the replica with carbon in a high vacuum carbon coater and then dissolving the replication sheet. The carbon replica can then be examined in the TEM. Alternatively, the replica can be coated with a conductive coating (such as gold) and examined in the SEM as a negative replica. The replication tapes are packed as rolls in a dispenser.
