Source of Chemicals for Tube manufacture

EDMA - Ethylene (glycol) dimethacrylate (crosslinking agent); Sigma-Aldrich 33,568-1, 98% purity, 5 or 100ml quantities. Store in refrigerator.

HEMA - 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) (monomer); Sigma-Aldrich 47,702-8, 99+% purity, 100 ml quantities. This needs to be spiked with EDMA before use. To a full bottle of HEMA, add 100 ml of EDMA (spiked to 0.1% EDMA). Store in refrigerator.

MMA – methyl methacrylate (hydrophobic monomer); Sigma-Aldrich M5,590-9, 99% purity, 25ml quantities. This may or may not be spiked with EDMA – formulations (except SFX 205) are not spiked wit EDMA. Store in refrigerator.

APS – ammonium persulfate (initiator); Sigma-Aldrich 43,153-2, 99.99+% purity, 50g quantities. Separate initiator into many aliquots (in “red” cryogenic vials), and store in refrigerator.

SMBS – sodium metabisulphite (accelerator); Sigma-Aldrich 25,555-6, 97% purity, 100g quantities. Store at room temperature.

TEMED – N,N,N’,N’-tetramethylethylenediamine (accelerator); Sigma-Aldrich T8133, 99+% purity, 50 ml quantities. Store in refrigerator.