DPX Mountant’s history runs parallel with the evolution of modern histology and microscopy. Earlier in the twentieth century, pathologists and biologists faced persistent challenges with preserving tissue specimens for clear microscopic observation. Before DPX, natural resins and Canada balsam dominated slide mounting, but these materials often led to faded images, slow drying times, and inconsistent results. In the middle of the last century, chemical innovation responded to these obstacles. Researchers blended plasticizers like dibutyl phthalate with synthetic aromatic solvents such as xylene, giving rise to DPX mountant. This blend not only improved preservation and clarity of tissue sections, but the rapid setting properties matched the growing pace of laboratory diagnostics. As an undergraduate working in a hospital lab, I saw firsthand how switching to DPX slashed preparation time, prevented slide yellowing, and allowed archived samples to last for years without significant degradation.
DPX mountant sits among the mainstays of histological and cytological mounting. The solution features three primary building blocks: dibutyl phthalate delivers plasticity, polystyrene acts as a binder, and xylene provides a solvent base. DPX dries to form a clear, resilient finish. Laboratories access DPX in liquid form, usually in amber glass bottles. The name “DPX” itself stands for Dibutyl Phthalate, Polystyrene, and Xylene, a nod to its composite makeup. Widely adopted by medical, research, and educational institutions alike, laboratories worldwide stock DPX not only because of its established performance but because of the reliable clarity and robust preservation it offers for both teaching slides and diagnostic materials.
DPX presents as a thick, colourless or slightly yellowish liquid with a mild, aromatic odour mostly attributed to xylene. Its refractive index lands close to 1.52, a figure that aligns with glass and many mounting media, minimizing image distortion under the microscope—vital for histological accuracy. Once spread on a slide, DPX dries hard and clear in about 15-30 minutes at room temperature. Xylene keeps the medium liquid until application, while dibutyl phthalate lends flexibility so mounted coverslips don’t crack or detach over time. The chemical blend resists moisture infiltration; this waterproof barrier protects delicate stained tissue samples against humidity and air exposure, strengthening long-term storage value.
Reputable producers offer DPX mountant with certifications that include detailed data sheets and hazard identification. Commercial DPX often comes labeled with CAS numbers for xylene and dibutyl phthalate: 1330-20-7 and 84-74-2, respectively. Typical formulations sport a density of 1.02–1.06 g/cm³, viscosity in the range of 250-450 cP at 25°C, with flashpoints above 23°C, reflecting xylene’s volatility. Labelling highlights flammable content, acute health effects, and recommended safe storage away from sources of ignition, with supporting directions for use and disposal. Lab workers learn early to read labels for risk phrases like H226 (flammable liquid and vapour) and advice about eye, skin, and respiratory contact, as well as appropriate spill procedures and first-aid steps.
The craft of making DPX involves dissolving polystyrene in xylene, followed by the addition of dibutyl phthalate. Manufacturers heat and stir the mix until the polymer fully dissolves and the formula becomes homogenous. Scaling this up, commercial providers filter and degas the mixture before bottling. In small research labs, mounting media sometimes still gets mixed in house—a process requiring careful balance to prevent bubbles or premature thickening. Technicians stress cleanliness during preparation, since particulate contamination can mar specimen clarity and damage microscopy objectives. Lab techs adapt the mix for special stains or refractive requirements by slightly adjusting polystyrene or plasticizer concentrations. Over the years, I’ve learned to recognize the golden sweet spot in viscosity that lets a drop of DPX spread nicely without running off the coverslip, making slide preparation efficient and waste minimal.
DPX’s formula supports modification for select niche applications. Substituting other aromatic solvents for xylene—for those sensitive to its fumes—yields variants like DPX-X or low-odour mountants, which swap in limonene-based compounds. Some labs add UV absorbers for extra protection of fluorescent stains, while others tweak the plasticizer ratios to match environmental or regulatory demands. Chemically, DPX remains stable at ambient conditions, though prolonged exposure to air can lead to thickening or yellowing as xylene evaporates or as minor oxidation products form. For most research, the reagent’s neutral pH and inertness keep background staining or artefact introduction to a minimum, so results remain reproducible across lab sessions and institutional boundaries.
Marketplace variety brings DPX under several names. While “DPX Mountant” reigns in English-speaking markets, catalogues list synonyms like “DPX Neutral Mountant,” “DPX Solution,” or “Synthetic Resin Mountant.” In research publications, abbreviations such as “DPX” stand alone or get expanded for specificity. Various brands—Sigma-Aldrich, Fisher Chemical, Loba Chemie, and others—distribute their blends, sometimes with proprietary tweaks. The ingredient list stays largely consistent, but some vendors substitute polystyrene with other thermoplastic polymers to tailor viscosity or evaporation rates, or substitute xylene for regulatory compliance without changing core product claims. Despite those tweaks, the DPX shorthand remains broadly understood across histopathology and microscopy circles, both in academic and clinical settings.
Daily use of DPX brings up real-world safety challenges, mainly from xylene’s volatility and dibutyl phthalate’s toxicological profile. Handling DPX demands well-ventilated work space, with fume extraction if available, plus gloves and eye protection. Prolonged inhalation leads to headache, dizziness, or respiratory irritation, so labs enforce short working exposures and provide ready access to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). In my career, I saw health techs treated for skin irritation from accidental DPX splashes, underlining the importance of rigorous hygiene routines and immediate decontamination. Regulators place strict controls on xylene emissions and storage, since chronic exposure ties to both organ toxicity and potential environmental contamination. Spills prompt swift cleanups with absorbent pads and hazardous waste collection, not simple sewer disposal. Ongoing training and robust incident reporting underscore that a strong safety culture beats technical know-how alone in preventing accidents.
DPX Mountant fills key roles in microscopy-driven sciences—histology, pathology, cytology, entomology—anywhere permanent, crisp samples matter. DPX supports the delicate bridges between biological, clinical, and teaching applications. Hospitals mount slides with DPX for surgical margins, tumour classification, and infectious disease surveys. In research, DPX preserves sections used to study tissue morphology, immune cell infiltration, or genetic markers. Classroom labs use DPX preparations to train future doctors and biologists, with slides standing up to repeated handling across years. Outside biology, DPX carries roles in preserving arthropod specimens in entomology or botanical samples where clarity and stability are critical. Its optical continuity offers brilliant image transmission under light microscopes, enhancing both qualitative observations and digital image analysis. Early-career scientists quickly learn to appreciate how a good mountant makes all the difference—stains stand out, fine features pop, and data reliability soars.
Continuous research seeks alternatives to xylene and plasticizers with safer ecological or human health footprints. Projects explore renewable solvent bases, biodegradable polymers, and inclusion of antifade agents that extend the life of fluorescent stains. Industry shifts and academic advances have spurred trials of “green” DPX made from less hazardous solvents or recycled polymer components, though matching the original product’s clarity and film hardness remains a tough hurdle. Emerging automation platforms for digital pathology demand mountants that cure rapidly and provide consistent thickness for automated slide scanning, prompting further work on flow properties and batch reproducibility. Collaboration between academics, analytical chemists, and manufacturers speeds up these improvements, showing that even familiar mainstays like DPX can benefit from inspired innovation and responsible stewardship.
Toxicological studies focus mainly on dibutyl phthalate, recognized for its reproductive and developmental risks in animal studies, and on xylene, a known neurotoxin with cumulative chronic effects. Studies examine not just acute lab exposures, but also occupational trends in cancer or systemic toxicity among techs working over decades. Regulatory reviews by Europe’s REACH, the US EPA, and other bodies drive tighter restrictions on exposure levels and call for routine air monitoring in dense-use labs. Researchers continue tracing micro-contamination in wastewater and air from repeated xylene use, linking workplace best practices with broader environmental impact. Pushes for replacement with lower-toxicity or fast-dissipating substitutes, such as citrus turpene derivatives, underscore the balancing act between technical needs and health advocacy. Awareness campaigns and policy changes have prompted safer handling and real information sharing among service providers, researchers, and students.
DPX Mountant faces pressure from two sides—regulatory evolution and technological progress. Demand rises for less hazardous, faster-curing, and eco-friendly alternatives. Rapid digital imaging tools, multiplexed fluorescence staining, and microfluidic slide handling all stretch the existing capabilities of traditional resin mountants. Lab technologists and polymer chemists dig into customized blends that merge fast setting, tough storage, minimal toxicity, and high optical quality. End users fuel innovation by sharing real feedback on new mountants’ performance and ease of use. Though DPX’s classic formula won’t vanish overnight, its successors will likely blend lessons from decades of successful sample preparation with 21st-century demands for sustainability and human health protection. Working through these challenges—and watching scientists adapt and thrive—reminds me how even enduring chemical staples get renewed through focused creativity at every step of the lab bench.
Spend a few afternoons in a histology lab, and DPX Mountant—short for Dibutyl Phthalate/Xylene—pops up more often than a lab technician’s coffee mug. I’ve watched countless colleagues reach for this clear, syrupy liquid at the final step of a long day slicing, staining, and drying slides. Mounting means sealing a finished tissue section under a cover slip, locking in the details under the microscope. DPX has built its reputation here because it dries fast and, once set, doesn’t turn yellow or crack. Labs want slides crisp and permanent, not yellowed or falling apart after months in storage.
Microscopy isn’t a field that forgives mistakes. If cells look blurry or the stain fades, diagnoses can go off track. DPX soaks into every pore between the cover slip and the slide, clearing any leftover air bubbles, which destroy good viewing. Its xylene base clears out water residue, keeping tissue sections looking just like they did at the moment of staining. Materials like this don’t take the spotlight, but their reliability shapes accurate medical reports and research conclusions. A pathologist depends on seeing exactly where cell boundaries lie or whether two stains overlap. If these details look smeared or uneven, the difference between a benign mole and a dangerous melanoma could blur.
Every time someone opens a fresh bottle of DPX, they’re weighing up more than fast drying and clear slides. Xylene, while a great solvent, gives off a sharp smell and poses health risks. Those facts stick with anyone who’s held their breath longer than usual while working with it. Teachers remind students to seal bottles tight and use DPX under fume hoods. There are water-based or less toxic mountants out there, but none have nailed the winning mix of speed, lasting clarity, and broad compatibility. Some labs keep testing alternatives, hoping for a safer solution that won’t mean waiting two days for slides to dry or tossing out batches gone cloudy.
In medical research, reproducibility matters. DPX delivers this by preserving samples unchanged for decades. I remember a researcher pulling out slides from the 1980s, their labels yellowed but their tissue sections spotless. The mountant had done its job: what got seen then is what gets seen now. That kind of consistency isn’t glamorous, but it builds trust in published results and diagnosis standards.
More techs now speak up about chemical exposure, and managers listen. Some labs rotate out xylene for newer solvents or limit how much DPX hits the bench. Personal protective equipment—gloves, goggles, lab coats—feels less optional after one strong whiff. Researchers also talk about recycling xylene or switching to glass cover slips to cut down on microplastic waste. Every bit helps when scores of slides pass through hospitals and clinics each week.
People in pathology and research labs keep DPX on hand because so far, its mix of clarity, durability, and reliability outweighs its drawbacks. The challenge lies in staying alert—advocating for ventilation, safer alternatives, and training on chemical best practices. As green chemistry advances, perhaps more labs will swap DPX for something just as effective and a little friendlier to humans and the environment.
DPX mountant lives on almost every histology bench I’ve seen. It secures coverslips, keeps slides intact, and lets years of research or patient stories stay readable under a microscope. Still, a careless approach to storage can turn this helpful resin into a sticky mess, cloud glass, and waste time. Every technician who’s ever run out of clear slides mid-shift knows the headache—poor storage brings more problems than folks admit.
Deal with DPX resin without thinking much and problems pile up: slides yellow, jars turn sluggish, or bottles crack under pressure change. Anyone handling histology reagents sees the consequences on stained sections—background tint, brittle resin, or coverslips sliding off after months of careful work. Most of the headache comes from letting DPX sit in places where heat, air, or humidity get wild.
I’ve seen DPX left near radiators or sitting in a window, and weeks later it’s thick and unusable. Exposure to light and air lets the solvent inside evaporate, dragging down performance. Letting water vapor in creates a hazy look, not the clear finish people pay money for. I’ve had colleagues try to revive old bottles with fresh solvent, but once the yellow tinge sets in, or resin thickens, it’s time for a new purchase. Storing a specialty chemical without understanding its limits eats up precious resources.
DPX works best if kept tightly sealed and out of sunlight. In my years in the lab, dropping bottles on cluttered shelves led to chips and leaks—so a safe, stable space away from heat sources beats the floor under a window every time. Room temperature acts right for most storage, but aim for the low to middle side of “room”—no need for a fridge, just keep it away from ovens or places where the afternoon sun can heat up bottles.
It pays to treat the bottle’s cap like gold. Always wiping any residue helps keep threads clean and airtight. If air makes its way in, the toluene, xylene, or other solvents in DPX start to drift off. Evaporation leaves behind thickened resin—then mounting turns into a wrestling match. I’ve seen ruined slides from a crusty bottle—and plenty of stressed-out faces in the process.
Storing chemicals like DPX rests on basic choices—not just regulation or protocol. Labs with clear procedures save techs time, money, and keep samples in good shape. Training new staff on storage tips pays dividends in fewer ruined slides and less chemical waste. Keep containers labeled with open dates, rotate stock, and use old bottles first.
Everyone who’s lost data from a bad batch learns a simple truth—the easiest fix comes from looking after chemical reagents with the same respect as a finished diagnostic slide. A small habit, like a quick bottle check before closing shop, stops a stack of problems before they start. Quality stems from attention to ordinary details, right down to where DPX sits on a shelf.
DPX Mountant lands in most biology and pathology labs as the go-to medium for mounting microscope slides. This stuff holds tissue sections in place and keeps colors from fading, keeping slides readable for years. You’ll see its use everywhere from medical training to research. It owes its popularity to clear optics and quick-drying results. The big question: how safe is it for folks working long hours with the product?
The mix includes distyrene (or polystyrene), plasticizer, and xylene. Distyrene gives structure, plasticizer adds flexibility, and xylene lets the mixture spread evenly. Out of the three, xylene brings the greatest concern for health.
Spend a few years in the lab and you learn to recognize the dizzy, sweet smell of xylene even through a mask. Short bursts of exposure often lead to headaches, nausea, and irritation of the eyes and throat. Work at a busy microscope bench long enough and long-term exposure can bring more serious trouble—liver and kidney problems make the medical literature, along with possible impacts on the nervous system.
I’ve watched plenty of students and colleagues struggle with “just a splash” of DPX, wiping it off their hands with a shrug. That’s not a healthy approach. Xylene in DPX doesn’t stick to the slide after curing, but handling it in its liquid form means breathing in fumes. Even once, enough fumes can irritate sensitive lungs or lead to a pounding headache.
There’s evidence that chronic, unprotected exposure to solvents like xylene brings real danger. Studies link regular, unprotected lab work involving volatile organics to higher risks for health issues in lab techs. The Musculoskeletal Research Center at Washington University points out higher complaints of chronic headaches and fatigue in techs dealing with these chemicals year after year.
Most of us learn early—open a window, work under a fume hood, and keep containers closed. Gloves, lab coats, and splash goggles sit within reach for a reason. Labs backed by solid management run audits to keep xylene exposure below 100 ppm (parts per million) over an 8-hour shift, as recommended by OSHA. As someone who’s worked in places with and without those protections, the difference shows up in morale, not just health.
Spills and splashes need real cleaning, not just a quick paper towel. Labs should post instructions for safe disposal because xylene contaminates water and builds up in the environment.
Some labs switch to xylene-free mounting media after repeated complaints of dizzy spells or rashes, but these new solutions bring their own quirks. While new media avoid some of the headaches, they cost more and older protocols don’t always work with them. Until safer, equally effective products become as reliable as DPX, labs stick with what gets results.
Knowledge and good habits keep DPX from causing unseen harm. Recognizing symptoms, keeping up with lab safety, and calling for regular training show real care for coworkers. Building a workplace where safety means as much as precision slides improves life for everyone there.
Anyone who has handled tissue staining knows the value of a good mountant. DPX isn’t just a random chemical name kicked around in lab manuals; it comes from years of lab experience trying to preserve delicate samples on slides. Unmounted slides once dried up, faded, and produced disappointing repeat tests. DPX brought longer shelf-life, sharper imaging, and fewer repeat stains. That translates to less wasted effort and better evidence for a diagnosis or study.
After staining a tissue section or cell smear, a technician drops a tiny spot of DPX right onto the sample. Usually, it only takes about 1–2 drops. Slides need to dry well before this step, so there’s no moisture left to mess with the DPX. It sounds simple, but rushing means bubbles, haze, or even cracks—every lab worker who has cleaned off a failed cover slip and started again will know the headaches. Using a glass Pasteur pipette or a fine-tipped dispenser always works better than a wide-tipped bottle.
Then the cover slip comes down at an angle. There’s a knack for lowering it so DPX spreads gradually and pushes out trapped air. Too much DPX makes the cover slip float around; too little brings dryness and lost focus under the microscope. The skill comes from practice: old hands can lay down the glass in a single move, no trapped air, no mess leaking down the slide edge.
DPX is xylene-based, making ventilation and gloves an obvious must. Labs without fume hoods or basic PPE find out fast about headaches and skin irritation. Following Material Safety Data Sheet recommendations protects both people and research. Frequent spills also get tracked into the fine mechanics of microscopes, so clean working surfaces and tool maintenance matter.
Every lab technician learns quickly how DPX interacts with different fixatives, stains, and tissue thickness. Too much residual water, and the DPX won’t set right. Early in my career, I ruined a batch of precious biopsy slides by forgetting this. Every lab worker sees growing skill reflected in cleaner slides, better contrast, and less wasted time.
Reliable results don’t just help researchers. In hospital labs, clear permanent mounts help pathologists catch subtle signs of disease. If a slide yellows, cracks, or the tissue folds, it might mean an uncertain answer for a patient. Keeping up with fresh DPX, proper technique, and regular retraining means fewer errors. Lab inspections and accreditation visits routinely look at slide storage and finishing.
Good mountants work best with well-trained staff who treat each step with care. Bringing in refresher courses for new staff and adopting improved DPX formulas with lower toxicity would be a real step forward. Some labs look to alternatives with less hazardous solvents, but the clarity and speed of DPX haven’t been matched yet. Investment in safer chemistry pays off for future workers, not just those at the bench now.
Microscopy mounting has changed with each generation. The humble drop of DPX after staining signals the final act in a long workflow—sealed for detailed study and, quite often, the health of real people. Each clean slide tells its own story of both preparation and purpose.
My earliest experiences with microscopy involved fumbling with glass slides, mounting media, and that ever-present bottle labeled “DPX.” Researchers and lab technicians rely on DPX Mountant for preserving whole mounts, cover-slipped sections, and staining results. It brings clarity, consistency, and much-needed permanence to sensitive biological samples. Still, one question pops up nearly every year, especially during budget reviews or inventory checks: How long does DPX last before it turns into useless glue?
DPX Mountant comes as a clear solution in a glass bottle. Most manufacturers print a shelf life of around five years. That number only counts when you store the bottle at room temperature, away from bright light and extremes of heat or cold. Experience in a dozen teaching labs tells me that this lifespan can run shorter when users leave caps off, scoop out large globs, or stash bottles near hot radiators. Exposure to oxygen thickens DPX and may produce cloudiness or changes in color, both bad news for clean microscopy.
Chemically, DPX relies on a mix of distyrene, a plasticizer, and xylene or a similar solvent. Time lets the solvent evaporate, especially from partially sealed bottles. Once evaporation happens, the mountant gets thicker and impossible to spread evenly. Fungal or bacterial growth rarely threatens DPX—thanks mostly to the toxic nature of xylene—but improper storage still ruins bottles long before the stated shelf life.
Anecdotally, I’ve seen unopened bottles keep their clarity and usefulness for over six years, but old partially used containers from forgotten classroom drawers sometimes fail after only two or three years. Clumping, stringiness, or visible floating particles signal that a fresh bottle should replace the old.
Reliable mounting media safeguard research integrity. We expect our samples to preserve their detail so that colleagues can verify findings years later. Expired or degraded DPX can trap bubbles, distort cells, or turn once-beautiful slides milky white, leading to lost time and repeated staining. Replacing DPX regularly prevents mounting disasters. The cost—usually less than a few coffees per bottle—is trivial next to the value of irreplaceable samples.
Handling DPX with some care stretches its practical life. Always recap bottles right after use. Store away from direct sunlight, and don’t freeze or overheat the mountant. Use glass rods or disposable pipettes instead of dipping wooden sticks, which can shed fibers and introduce contaminants. Keeping a record on the label—date opened and initialed by the user—helps labs rotate their stock and prioritize older bottles. This habit took only a few minutes to set up in my lab and saved plenty of headaches over the years.
Manufacturers now include information on xylene substitutes or safer alternatives. The shelf life claims on these products usually match traditional DPX, but personally, I’ve noticed some water-based formulas harden faster once opened to air. Small-batch ordering keeps waste down and avoids the temptation to let bottles linger for years past their best.
DPX Mountant has enabled countless research breakthroughs thanks to its consistency. Its shelf life fits well with the pace of most laboratory work, provided it is handled with care. For those who value the clarity and permanence of mounting media, a little attention to date tags and basic storage pays off over dozens of slide preparations.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | Bis(butoxycarbonyl)benzene |
| Other names |
DPX DPX mounting medium Dibutylphthalate Polystyrene Xylene DPX mountant for histology DPX non-aqueous mounting medium |
| Pronunciation | /daɪˈbjuːtɪl ˈθæleɪt ˈzaɪliːn/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 3730-70-1 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | `/legacy/cmdload/jmol.php?model=CCOC(=O)c1ccccc1C(=O)OCC.Xylene` |
| Beilstein Reference | Beilstein Reference: 1912691 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:34777 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1502091 |
| ChemSpider | 3223790 |
| DrugBank | DB11124 |
| ECHA InfoCard | ECHA InfoCard: 01-2120766636-41-XXXX |
| EC Number | 201-557-4 |
| Gmelin Reference | 62619 |
| KEGG | C07280 |
| MeSH | D008073 |
| PubChem CID | '3026' |
| RTECS number | TI0350000 |
| UNII | PYI13K2X4X |
| UN number | UN1993 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID1023983 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C24H38O4 + C8H10 |
| Molar mass | 346.48 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear colourless liquid |
| Odor | Aromatic |
| Density | 0.98 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Insoluble |
| log P | 3.6 |
| Vapor pressure | <0.1 hPa (20°C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | pKa ≈ -0.24 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -7.9e-6 |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.515 – 1.521 |
| Viscosity | 800 - 1200 mPa.s (25 °C) |
| Dipole moment | 2.95 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 472.5 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | V04CX |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07, GHS08 |
| Pictograms | GHS02, GHS07, GHS08 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H226, H312, H315, H319, H332, H336, H373, H411 |
| Precautionary statements | P201, P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264, P271, P273, P280, P302+P352, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P321, P331, P337+P313, P362+P364, P370+P378, P403+P233, P403+P235, P405, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 2-2-0 |
| Flash point | > 27 °C |
| Autoignition temperature | 399°C |
| Explosive limits | Explosive limits: 1.1% (Xylene) – 7.0% (Xylene) |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (oral, rat): Dibutyl phthalate 8,000 mg/kg; LD50 (oral, rat): Xylene 4,300 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): 8000 mg/kg (oral, rat) |
| NIOSH | NIOSH: **TT4300000** |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) for Dibutyl Phthalate: 5 mg/m³ PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) for Xylene: 100 ppm (435 mg/m³) |
| REL (Recommended) | 33-38°C |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | IDLH for Dibutyl Phthalate: 400 mg/m³; IDLH for Xylene: 900 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Phthalates Dibutyl phthalate Xylene Tricresyl phosphate Toluene Canada balsam Eukitt Permount Mount-Quick |