X-Ray Diffractometer: User Guide

Table of Contents

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Mortar and pestle is the most common method. Below, each method is outlined.

Mortar and Pestle
Choose the appropriate mortar and pestle size (large or small) and place it on the counter (Figure 8). Obtain a glass slide, a sample holder, and a scoopula (Figure 8). Clean all items after each use with isopropyl alcohol and a KimWipe.

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Pour sample into the mortar and grind the sample with the pestle. When finished, the sample should be the consistency of talc powder. Test the sample by taking a pinch and rubbing it on your skin. If the sample feels gritty, it needs to be ground more. If the texture is good and the sample looks homogenous, you can pack the sample into a sample holder to be placed in the D4.

Mixer mill

 There are two mixer mills located in X-Ray Prep. Both mills operate very similarly but do have slight differences (Figure 9; Figure 10). The 8000 is featured on the top and the 8000M on the bottom. 

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The main difference between the two mixer mills is the timer. The 8000M timer uses 2 buttons to adjust the minutes (Figure 9B) and seconds (Figure 9C), 2 separate buttons to start (Figure 9D) and manually stop (Figure 9E), and counts down time on the LCD display (Figure 9F). To operate the 8000 mixer mill, turn the knob to the desired time and press the "Start" button in the middle. That button will also stop the mixer mill. The dial does not move automatically, so if it is turned to 5 minutes it will stay there. The dial does not need be set back to 0 to work.

Grinding Vessels
There are three types of grinding vessels available: alumina ceramic, tungsten carbide, and hardened steel (Figure 11). Tungsten carbide and steel vessels are better for more robust grinding, and alumina ceramic is better for minimizing contamination. Check with the Science Party to see which vessel type is preferred.

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