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Using the Bead Maker during transit is not advised, due to power fluctuation which could cause damage to the Bead Maker electronics.

Cleaning Platinum Crucibles

  1. Rinse crucibles with DI water.
  2. If beads are stuck to the bottom, sonicate with DI water for 30 min or more.
  3. Place crucibles in HNO3 10% bath for 12 hr. If you notice any signs of residue, leave in the acid bath for longer. If the crucibles are in urgent need, a minimum cleaning time in the HNO3 10% acid bath is 2 hrs, however, extra flux blanks should be made with these crucibles for analysis to ensure there isn't leftover contamination.
  4. Clean a Tupperware container with isopropyl alcohol. Lay down sheets of paper towel and large kimwipesKimwipes.
  5. Take crucibles out of the acid bath and rinse with DI water 3 times. Place crucible in the container. If the crucibles require polishing, see Polishing the Platinum Crucibles.
  6. Cover all crucibles with a large Kimwipe and place in the drying oven in the Chemistry Laboratory. Leave overnight.
  7. When dry remove crucibles and bring into the XRD laboratory. Wrap each crucible in a small Kimwipe and and place back in the safe. Lock the safe after all crucibles have been put back.

Polishing the Platinum Crucibles

It may be necessary to polish the crucibles to remove scratches. Do this no more than once per expedition because polishing thins the platinum and in time the crucible will crack. A polishing machine is located in the ICP prep area.

  1. Wrap a silk cloth (like the cloth used to clean eyeglasses) around the polishing nozzle.
  2. Apply a diamond paste (Grade 30, found in Thin Section Lab) to the front of the silk-covered nozzle and place the crucible over the nozzle.
  3. Turn polisher on and polish the crucible bottom for ~30 s (the bottom will be shiny). Be careful because the crucible will get hot. Do not try to remove any deep scratches – the crucibles are not that thick. The least amount of polishing the better.
  4. Clean the crucibles with isopropyl alcohol and put in 10% HNO3 bath for 12 hr.

Using the LOI Furnace to Make Sample Beads

If the bead maker breaks, use the LOI furnace to make beads.
Caution! Safety is a major issue with this procedure; use proper personal protection equipment and note where the nearest fire extinguisher is located.

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