MUHWA 24-Place Slide Staining Rack & Coplin Jar Set — POM Plastic, Shatterproof
MUHWA 24-place slide staining rack and Coplin-style jar set is a complete solution for manual slide staining in histology, pathology, and research laboratories. Unlike traditional glass Coplin jars that shatter on impact, this set is made from POM (polyoxymethylene) plastic — an engineering-grade thermoplastic known for its high stiffness, low friction, and excellent chemical resistance. The horizontal staining rack holds up to 24 microscope slides securely, while the jar resists alcohol, xylene, H&E stains, and most routine laboratory solvents. No glass to break, no metals to corrode. Available in Gray and White color options. Rack and jar can be purchased together as a complete staining set or individually to suit your workflow.
Key Features
- POM Plastic Construction: Engineering-grade polyoxymethylene — shatterproof, lightweight, and resistant to alcohols, xylene, and common staining agents. Unlike glass Coplin jars, drops and bumps won't result in broken glass and lost samples.
- 24-Slide Horizontal Rack: Holds up to 24 standard microscope slides in a horizontal orientation for even staining coverage. Grooved slots keep slides separated and prevent them from touching during immersion.
- Coplin-Style Staining Jar: Traditional Coplin jar design updated in durable plastic. Interior grooves guide the rack smoothly into position. Compatible with standard staining protocols including H&E, special stains, and IHC manual processing.
- Wide Slide Compatibility: Accepts both 75.0 × 25.0 mm slides and 76.0 × 26.0 mm slides with thickness from 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm — the two most common microscope slide formats on the market.
- Buy as Set or Separate: Need extra racks for multi-stain workflows? Just want a replacement jar? Purchase the complete staining rack and jar set, or buy individual racks and jars to build your own staining station.
- Easy to Clean, No Corrosion: Smooth POM surfaces wipe clean easily with ethanol or detergent. No metal components to rust or corrode after repeated exposure to staining solutions.
- Two Color Options: Available in Gray and White — choose the color that best fits your lab's workflow or use different colors to designate dedicated staining protocols.
Technical Specifications
| Material | POM (polyoxymethylene) plastic |
| Rack Capacity | 24 standard microscope slides (horizontal orientation) |
| Jar Type | Coplin-style staining jar with interior rack guides |
| Compatible Slide Size | 75 × 25 mm and 76 × 26 mm (thickness 0.8–1.2 mm) |
| Colors | Gray, White |
| Chemical Resistance | Resists alcohol, xylene, H&E stains, and common solvents |
| Purchase Options | Set (rack + jar) or individually (rack only / jar only) |
| Usage | Manual slide staining, H&E, special stains, frozen sections |
Rack + Jar Set vs Individual Purchase
| Option | Includes | Best For |
| Complete Set | 1 staining rack + 1 Coplin jar | New lab setups, single-stain workflows, teaching labs |
| Rack Only | 24-place staining rack only | Extra racks for multi-stain protocols, replacement racks |
| Jar Only | Coplin-style staining jar only | Replacement jars, building a multi-jar staining station |
Pro Tip: For H&E staining, use 3 separate sets (one for each step: hematoxylin, eosin, and rinse) to eliminate cross-contamination between staining solutions.
Popular Applications
- H&E Staining: The workhorse of histology labs — use with hematoxylin and eosin for routine tissue staining. The POM plastic withstands both aqueous and alcohol-based formulations.
- Special Stains: Perfect for PAS, Masson's trichrome, Giemsa, Gram stain, and other special staining protocols where glass Coplin jars risk breakage from frequent handling.
- Frozen Sections: Durable plastic construction handles the rapid temperature changes and frequent solution changes common in frozen section protocols.
- IHC Manual Processing: Use as part of a manual immunohistochemistry workflow for antigen retrieval, blocking, and antibody incubation steps.
- Teaching & Training Labs: Shatterproof design is ideal for student labs where glass Coplin jars are frequently dropped or knocked over during practical sessions.
- Veterinary & Field Pathology: Portable, lightweight, and unbreakable — suitable for staining stations in mobile labs, field clinics, and remote diagnostic settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes POM plastic better than glass Coplin jars?
A: POM (polyoxymethylene) is shatterproof — drops and impacts that would shatter a glass jar leave POM undamaged. It resists the same chemicals (alcohol, xylene, stains) while being significantly lighter and more durable. No risk of glass shards in your staining solutions or cutting your hands during cleanup.
Q: Can I use this with xylene and alcohol?
A: Yes. POM plastic is resistant to alcohols (ethanol, methanol, isopropanol), xylene, and most common histological solvents. For prolonged xylene immersion (24+ hours), rinse the jar with water after use to extend service life.
Q: What slide sizes are compatible?
A: The rack accepts both 75 × 25 mm (standard) and 76 × 26 mm slides with thickness between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm. These are the two most common microscope slide formats used worldwide.
Q: Can I buy just the rack or just the jar?
A: Yes! Both the staining rack and the Coplin jar are available for individual purchase. This is useful if you need extra racks for multi-stain workflows, or if you want to build a staining station with multiple jars for different solutions.
Q: How do I clean the rack and jar after staining?
A: Rinse thoroughly with running water immediately after use to remove residual stains. For deeper cleaning, wipe with 70% ethanol or mild detergent. Air dry completely before next use. See Care & Maintenance below for detailed cleaning instructions.
Q: Will the POM plastic stain or discolor over time?
A: POM has excellent resistance to staining and discoloration from most histological dyes. However, prolonged contact with concentrated stains (especially hematoxylin) may cause slight surface discoloration over extended use. This is cosmetic only and does not affect chemical resistance or functionality. Prompt rinsing after use minimizes any discoloration.
Care & Maintenance
- Immediately after staining is complete, remove the rack from the jar and rinse both with running tap water to remove residual staining solutions.
- For routine cleaning, wipe all surfaces with 70% ethanol or mild laboratory detergent using a soft brush to reach into the rack grooves and jar interior.
- Rinse thoroughly with distilled water to remove all cleaning residue — residual detergent can interfere with subsequent staining quality.
- Air dry completely before reloading with slides. Stand the jar inverted on absorbent paper and place the rack on a clean surface to drain.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Prolonged UV exposure can cause POM plastic to become brittle over time.
- Do not autoclave — POM softens above 120°C (248°F). For sterilization, use chemical disinfectants (70% ethanol, 10% bleach solution) or ethylene oxide gas. Standard lab surface disinfectants are safe for routine use.
Note: For multi-stain workflows, we recommend using separate racks and jars for each staining protocol (e.g., dedicated H&E set, dedicated PAS set) to prevent cross-contamination between different stain types. Label each jar clearly with the stain name and date of last solution change.
