• What's New
• Exhibitions
• Clinics and Workshops
• Suggested Reading Material
• Reference Standard Sources
• Data Bases
• XRF Instrument Manufacturer's Showcase
• XRF Sample Cups and Accessories
• Grinding Machines and Accessories
• Briquetting Presses and Accessories
• Grinding/Briquetting Additives
  • Additives
  • Liquid Binder
• Fusion Machines and Accessories
• Petrochemical Oil Standards
• PE and PVC Polymer Compliance Standards
• Thin-Film Sample Supports
• Microporous Film
• Transfer Pipettes
• RoHS European Council Directive 2002/95/EC
• Technical Reprints

Spectrocertified® Grinding and Briquetting Additives

Most powdered sample substances are considered multi-phased or compositionally complex. They are comprised of individual particles or crystal phases frequently dissimilar in composition, density, hardness, configuration, size and distribution. Each particle tends to behave as a separate entity from its surrounding constituents. Chemplex grinding and briquetting additives are formulated to aid in the grinding and briquetting process by reducing particles to a uniform size and distribution forming a homogeneous sample blend for XRF analysis. Under briquetting pressure, the powdered samples are transformed into "plasticized" pellets with smooth unblemished surfaces resistant to inadvertent chipping or flaking apart. Samples may be saved for future referral.

Preparing Samples

In preparing powdered samples requiring a grinding or briquetting additive, it is most advantageous to use the least amount of additive to minimize the effects of dilution unless the use of the additive is for dilution purposes.

As a starting point, use 1.0 to 2.5 wt % additive of the sample weight, e.g. 0.1 to 0.25 gm additive, to 10 gm sample. Adjust the amount of additive until the desired results are obtained. Alternatively, the additive weight may be held constant and the sample weight quantity varied for applications that will be utilizing the convenience of pre-weighed tablets. To maintain compatibility, standards should be similarly prepared.

Grinding/Briquetting Additive Profiles

ADDITIVE	CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
X-Ray Mix™	48.7% C, 42.6% O, 8.1% H, 0.6% B
SpectroBlend®	81.0% C, 2.9% O, 13.5% H, 2.6% N
Boric Acid	77.6% O, 4.9% H, 17.5% B

Note: Some additives may reportedly contain trace elements that may potentially interfere with a given analysis. It is suggested that a "Blank" is run to evaluate the presence and interference level prior to an analytical investigation.

Typical Applications

ADDITIVE	PROMINENT CHARACTERISTICS
X-Ray Mix™	General purpose grinding agent. Balanced for abrasiveness and lubricity to aid in grinding dissimilar particles of moderate hardness for relatively short times. Highly "plasticizes" and firmly bonds samples together under briquetting pressure. Available in pre-weighed tablets for ease of dispensing.
SpectroBlend®	A 44µ powder well suited for blending and as a diluent for high concentrations. Well balanced with abrasive and lubricious constituents for grinding most sample materials emphasizing difficult-to-process samples requiring long grinding cycles in metallic comminution vials or dishes. Resistant to degradation by thermal and irradiation exposure. Samples have "plasticized" surfaces. Available in bulk powder and ½ gm pre-weighed tablets for ease of dispensing.
Boric Acid	Abrasive substance for processing samples with strong re-welding tendencies. Sample pellets are fair to moderately bonded together. Frequently used in conjunction with other additives to impart increased abrasiveness to the grinding process.

® SpectroCertified, SpectroBlend and Chemplex are registered trademarks of Chemplex Industries, Inc.

™ X-Ray Mix is a trademark of Chemplex Industries, Inc.