DPX Mountant

DPX Mountant is a synthetic, non-aqueous mounting medium used in microscopy and histology for preserving stained tissue sections and mounting them on slides. It is especially popular for its clarity, rapid drying, and chemical resistance, replacing older xylene-balsam preparations.​

Composition and Properties

Components: Distyrene (polystyrene), a plasticizer (e.g., dibutyl phthalate), and xylene.​

Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow viscous liquid.​

Viscosity: ~1200–1800 mPa·s at 20°C.​

Density: ~0.94–0.97 g/mL.​

Refractive index: 1.515–1.525 (very close to glass).​

Flash point: 24–30°C; flammable; aromatic odor.​

Insoluble in water, miscible with xylene and other organic solvents.​

Uses and Advantages

Provides a permanent, transparent seal for tissue sections and coverslips, resisting most laboratory chemicals and not yellowing over time.​

Dries quickly (usually within 15–30 minutes), allowing for rapid handling and storage of prepared slides.​

Ideal for applications in hematology, histology, and immunohistochemistry where preservation of fine stained details is crucial.​

DPX Mountant ensures long-term slide preservation, superior optical clarity, and minimal artifact formation in stained preparations for microscopy and histopathology.​