Adhesives were applied in air on the benchtop to dry, damp, or wet shells as noted in the sample preparation procedures documented in the links at right.

Adhesives tested on shells were sometimes made on empty and clean scallop shells and sometimes on live animals with minimal algal fouling on the shell surface. The details are noted in the sample preparation reports.

Samples used for strength of materials tests at Bristol Community College were prepared on dry metal fixtures of standard geometry for the testing machines.