From: dlb@u.Arizona.EDU (David Bentley)
I haven't used the Duco cement in a long time. Since it is a solvent based cement, it will have a long drying time and the danger of rewetting dry biological samples. If memory serves, there was no great problem with outgassing after the glue was dried thoughly. It was used for a larger sample so the beam was not on the adhesive often, but I do remember trials where some damage was evident.
There was a fantastic, comprehensive, review article by Judy Murphy that covers most mounting techniques well;

Judith A. Murphy. Considerations, Materials, and Procedures for Specimen Mounting Prior to Scanning Electron Microscopic Examination. Scanning Electron Microscopy 1982 II. SEM Inc. Chicago. 1982. 657-696.
Generally, with biological samples and impervious samples, I shy away from solvent based adhesives. The former rewet and suffer surface tension artifact on redrying, and the latter trap liquid adhesive underneath and outgas for a long time. Usually, like to stay with the coated adhesives like the transfer tabs (Avery "spot o' glue"), metal tapes, and for tiny samples Scotch 850 polyester tape, so the samples don't sink, or form ripples.
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-- [ From: Charles A. Garber, Ph. D. GVKM07A@prodigy.com
On Sept. 3, Doug Davis asked about "Duco" brand cement:
"Duco" cement will certainly "work", however, there are much better alternatives, "better" being defined from several perspectives:

a) Double sided adhesive conductive carbon sheets and tape will do the same job (provided the samples being mounted are not too large) but have the advantage of no outgassing. They are also "relatively" stable under the beam, and since the substrate is already conductive, to whatever degree one might have to apply gold or carbon to impart surface conductivity, in this case, one would have to apply much less. Cure time is not applicable, and the sample is instantly ready to be put into the vacuum of either a sputter or carbon coater or the SEM. Remember, Duco cement is certainly not conductive. Also, if not completely cured (who has the time for a complete "cure" in a busy SEM lab?), solvent vapors off-gas. b) One can use products called "Leit-C-Plast" or even "Tempfix" which have the advantage that more massive samples can be held in place and the adhesive itself is conductive. Again, cure time is not an issue.
The only apparent "disadvantage" is that these other alternatives all cost more money than "Duco" cement. On a "per sample" basis, we are still talking pennies, but they do cost more.