Design and application of a freeze-fracture stage with a cleaver device for Balzers 'freeze-etching' apparatus

A fracturing mechanism in the form of a double-wedged cleaver, used previously on other freeze-fracture machines, has been incorporated in the Balzers BAF 400 D apparatus. The design of the stage, with the cleaver, is explained and its performance and advantages are outlined. By minimizing mechanical damage to the exposed surface of the frozen specimen and reducing contamination by effective shrouding, an improvement in the quality of the replicas is achieved. The suitability of this mechanism for the fracturing of tough tissues such as skin is also outlined.