Euparal ready-to-use, for microscopy Alternative to Canada Balsam Embedding already from alcohol 80 % Diluent and solvent is Euparal Essence Do not use organic solvents! Refractive index for liquid Euparal: 1.483 Refractive index for completely solidified Euparal: 1.535 Euparal is an alternative to Canada balsam for mounting microscopic specimens and is used in the same way. Unlike balsam, which is very sensitive to water and can only be used after specimens have been dehydrated with high-percentage alcohol and xylene, mounting in Euparal with 80 % alcohol is possible without any cloudiness occuring. Euparal solidifies slower than Canada balsam. The duration of the solidifying process depends on the mounted object and temperature. Euparal solidifies faster when warm. As it is a natural resin and there is no polymerisation, permanent Euparal preparations can be dissolved later under gentle heating with Euparal essence (Art. No. A145). Euparal contains Sandarac resin, camphor and salol. Paraldehyde and eucalyptol serve as a solvent.