The control of temperature during polymerization of Lowicryl K4M: there is a low‐temperature embedding method

Methods are described for controlling the temperature of Lowicryl K4M in flat embeddings and in capsules during polymerization under ultra‐violet (UV) irradiation in an Agar UVF 35 low‐temperature cabinet. Aluminium blocks or an ethanol bath are used as heat ‘sinks’. Consequently the question posed by Ashford et al. (1986) — “Is there a low‐temperature embedding method?” — is answered in the affirmative. This control of temperature is particularly important when using gelatin capsules since a temperature rise of as little as 2 K results in uneven polymerization.