Crushing Samples in the X-Press
The X-Press is a motorized hydraulic press that crushes samples into smaller pieces. The X-Press is used to crush hard igneous rocks and highly compacted sediments.
Preparing the X-Press area
- First, clean the X-
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- Press with simple green and isopropyl alcohol. Clean the work area and materials with isopropyl alcohol for each sample.
- Place a large KimWipe on your working surfaces for your clean materials. Next collect the following supplies that make up the 'crushing unit' of the X-press (Figure
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- 1). Materials are located in the drawer labeled 'X-PRESS SUPPLIES' in the X-Ray Prep Area in the
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- Thin Section Lab.
- Weigh Paper 6" x 6"
- Core liner
- Two delrin discs
- Stainless steel base
- Aluminum Die
Figure 6: 1. Materials needed for assembly of ‘crushing unit’. A. Weigh Paper 6”x6”. B. Core Liner C. Two Delrin Discs D. Stainless Steel Base E. Aluminum Die
3. Put on gloves and 'wash' them with isopropyl alcohol. Clean the crushing supplies with isopropyl alcohol and set them down on the clean surface.
4. Collect sample beakers from the desiccator drying oven (for ICP preparation) or dessicator located in the X-Ray Lab. Put a piece of parafilm Parafilm® over each beaker and bring them over to the X-press. Press.
Assembling the crushing unit jhn
Now that the X-press Press area is clean and the samples are in the labLab, assemble the crushing unit as follows:
- Grab the stainless steel dish. This is the base for the crushing unit (Figure
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- 2).
Figure 7. Stainless steel dish
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If pieces are still too large then repeat the same setup and crush it again. Look out for and remove any pieces of the Delrin Discs that may have chipped off and gotten into the sample. Leaving pieces of the Delrin Discs in the sample will cause contamination.
Grinding Samples in the Shatterbox
The shatterbox takes the crushed pieces from the X-Press and grinds them into a very fine powder. The Spex shatterbox is capable of grinding three standard size samples or one large sample. Our grinding vessels used are tungsten carbide.
Apparatus and Materials
- Shatterbox
- Tungsten Carbide Vessels: Vessel, Puck, and Lid
- Samples
- 1oz Sample Vials
- Sample Labels
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The three-pinned plate will hold three vessels while the one-pinned plate will only hold one. If two samples need to be crushed select the three-pinned plate. The large vessel will sit directly in shatterbox without an additional plate below it.
Loading the Shatterbox
Transfer the sample pieces into the grinding vessel. Pour sample pieces between the puck and the wall of the vessel (Figure 20). There can't be any material on top of the puck or inside the sealing ring; otherwise the vessel will not seal properly and the sample can spill inside the shatterbox. If any pieces are on top of the puck or ring, use gloves, tongs, or a KimWipe to move the sample into the vessel. Put on the lid and start assembling the shatterbox.
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Normal Sounds: The shatterbox is extremely loud. The foam and strap surrounding the shatterbox helps keep it in place and minimize some of the noise.
Abnormal Sounds. If there are any metal on metal sounds shut off the shatterbox immediately. Something inside the shatterbox has probably come loose and will damage the inside of the container.
When the shatterbox cycle is done open the lid and remove the vessels, placing them on the counter. Open the grinding vessel and with clean tweezers take a bit of the powder and feel it against the inside of your wrist. The sample should feel like baby powder, if it does not, repeat the shatterbox cycle.
Transfer powder into Vial
Disassemble the vessel carefully wearing 'Powderless Nitrile' gloves. Clean off any powder on the lid or puck with clean gloves or a Kim Wipe. Carefully remove the puck from the vessel. Pour the sample onto a clean weighing paper. If any powder remains, use a clean plastic spatula, brush, or your finger to dislodge it.
Note: Never use metal to dislodge sample material, as any grooves or scratches in the vessels will increase the risk of contamination.
Cleaning the Grinding Vessels
Vessels must be cleaned in between samples and after all samples have been run for the day. Vessels should never be put away wet. This alters and tarnishes the vessel.
In Between Sample Runs
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