The choice of die is generally determined by the requirements of the analytical instrument. SPEX SamplePrep offers dies for four standard analytical pellet sizes: 13 mm for conventional IR spectrometers, 31 mm for most OES and older XRF instruments, and 35 mm and 40
mm for some newer XRF spectrometers. Dies are clearly labeled with bore size and maximum safe load.

Each SPEX SamplePrep die set is a complete unit. Made of hardened stainless steel for durability and extra wear, the SPEX SamplePrep die includes a body with detachable base, a plunger, and two polished steel pellets. Sample material is pressed in the die bore between the polished pellets, yielding a compact sample disc ready for the spectrometer’s sample holder. A convenient “knock-out ring” allows easy extraction of the steel pellets and sample disc from the die. Each precision-machined SPEX SamplePrep die set also incorporates a vacuum hose attachment. This allows evacuation of gases, volatiles, and moisture during pressing, assisting compaction and preventing possible sample disc rupture under vacuum-path conditions.