Alcohol Formalin Fixative consists of formalin 4%, neutrally buffered and ethanol 99.0% denatured. It is a single solution used in medical diagnostics, histology and scientific laboratories. The main application of the product is in the fixation of tissue specimens for histological examination.

The chemical details of the product include formalin with CAS number 50-00-0 and ethanol with CAS number 64-17-5. Formalin is an aqueous solution of formaldehyde (HCHO) and ethanol has the molecular formula C2H5OH. Both substances are fixatives used to preserve tissue samples.

The chemical reactions and properties of the product are based on the ability of formaldehyde and ethanol to cross-link proteins and nucleic acids in cells and tissues. This stabilizes cell structures and preserves tissue morphology for later study. The combination of formalin and ethanol leads to faster fixation and improves penetration into the tissue.