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Laboratory Apparatus
General Laboratory Equipment
- Compensated Dual Analytical Balance System
- Drying ovens at 110°C and 60°C
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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 21). 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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The most critical aspect of bead-making is maintaining a constant sample to flux ratio. A ratio of 1:4 suffices in most situations. If samples are small (e.g., volcanic glasses), a sample mass <0.1 g may be used. However, the same ratio must be maintained between the samples and the calibration standards (otherwise the matrix will not match). For example, 0.05 g of sample requires 0.2 g flux.
Using the Beadmaker
Collect platinum crucibles, platinum tipped tongs, 0.172 LiBr, and pipette tips from the safe above the Bead Maker (Figure 30). Get the 10-100ul pipette and teflon spatula from the drawer and clean with isopropyl alcohol. Have a tray of samples that need to be fused and an empty tray for finished beads.
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