SPI Supplies Small Gelatin Capsules

SPI Supplies Small Gelatin Capsules
Gelatin capsules are universally known for their applications in the pharmaceutical industry. What is not generally known is that there are wide-ranging applications for empty gelatin capsules in numerous fields outside of the pharmaceutical industry. For general the smaller gelatin capsules are used in microscopy and histology and the large sizes are used more frequently for packaging purposes.

Empty gelatin capsules have many uses around a microscopy laboratory and are often times perceived as a lower cost alternative to products such as BEEM capsules.
Use these hard capsules as an embedding mold when very small volumes are being used and/or when light transmission is needed. These gelatin capsules can be used as a low volume embedding mold for embedding resins, something especially valuable for those embedding resins that are on the expensive side of the norm. And of course, they are transparent to both visible and UV light, so that they can be used with resins such as SPI-Chem Low Acid GMA, Lowicryl, and LR White.

When ready for removal, the embedment can be separated from the gelatin capsule by dissolution. The gelatin capsules featured by SPI are known for their rapid dissolution properties, typically within a couple of minutes in water at 37° C/98.6° F.

Storage and shipment of fragile parts:
Empty gelatin capsules are widely used for the shipment and storage of fragile items, and represent a lower cost alternative to the well-known membrane boxes. Gelatin is 100% biodegradable and of natural origin. Unlike plastic, gelatin does not emit volatile monomers that can deposit on sensitive components during storage. Gelatin also absorbs moisture and has moisture barrier properties, thus minimizing condensation effects. When a component is sealed within a gelatin capsule, moisture will be preferentially absorbed by the gelatin.

All sizes of what we call "small" capsules are packaged in bags of 1000. 

	Size	Length mm	Diameter mm	Volume ml	SPI #
	000	26.14	9.55	1.37	02303-SS
	00	23.30	8.18	0.95	02302-SS
	0	21.20	7.34	0.68	02304-SS
	1	19.00	6.63	0.50	02306-SS
	2	17.50	6.07	0.37	02317-SS
	3	15.50	5.56	0.30	02307-SS
	4	13.90	5.05	0.21	02308-SS

NOTE:
While these types of capsules are widely used throughout the pharmaceutical industry and are considered "pharmaceutical grade", SPI Supplies is not registered with the US Food and Drug Administration and therefore cannot sell these gelatin capsules for applications involving pharmaceutical or clinical usage. These capsules are not for human consumption.