Rubber and plastics can be cryogenically microtomed to obtain sections thin enough to be observed in the TEM. Larger features can be analyzed with the LOM. By staining with osmium or ruthenium, polymer morphology of blends can be seen. Subsequent preparation of the microtomed bulk specimen by etching with the appropriate organic solvent, acid or base will make certain morphologies more apparent using the SEM.

* EDX is Energy Dispersive X Ray, LOM is Light Optical Microscopy, OC is Optical Comparator, SEM is Scanning Electron Microscopy, TEM is Transmission Electron Microscopy