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Preface
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Technical Information
Appendix

   Fusion      Products for Fusion

 

The Katanax K1 and K2 automated electric fusion fluxers are specifically designed to fuse without using gaseous flames.  The entire process of fusion is automated, controlling the heating time, mixing time and rate, and the cooling time for the finished bead.

Each sample is heated with a borate flux in a platinum-5% gold crucible automaticallt positioned in an electric furnace.  As the flux melts, the heater module moves the crucible in a rotary motion, aiding dissolution of the sample in the flux.  The rate and the time of the rotary motion are programmable for optimum performance.  The unique design of the K1 and K2 insures rapid and reproducible dissolution of the sample in the flux.  Once the sample is dissolved, the Katanax fluxer will automatically pour the molten flux into a pre-heated mold.  The mold is then cooled by an automatic fan that anneals the dlass disc.  After a short time the cooled disc can be removed and is ready for XRF analysis.

In solution preparation the Katanax fluxers are reconfigured and the system is ready to fuse samples for solutions.  The fan is changed over to a stirrer motor and the dilute mineral acid will be stirred as the moltenfusion melt is poured into the acid.  The melt will shatter and is easily dissolved by the acid after several minutes of stirring. The solution is then ready for analysis by AA or ICP, or any other solution method that you with to use.

The electric furnace of the K1 and K2 can reach 1150°C which is more than enough for fusions with borate salts.  The temperature and all of the other parameters (such as fan-cooling time) are controlled by the machine.  Its easy-to-use menus allow programming of specific procedures for each fusion recepie.  Different fluxing procedures may be carried out automatically by recalling stored procedures from memory. P>SPEX SamplePrep provides all of the necessary supplies for a problem-free fusion experience including fluxes, additives and Pt/5%Au crucible and molds.

Call SPEX SamplePrep for all of your fusion needs.




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SPEX SamplePrep graphite crucibles are a cost-effective alternative to the metal crucibles(platinum/gold, zirconium, etc.) used to contain samples during fusions. SPEX SamplePrep graphite crucibles are disposable, eliminating both the need for time-consuming cleaning procedures and the possibility of cross-sample contamination. Chemically inert and heat-resistant, graphite will not combine with samples during fusion. And SPEX SamplePrep’s unique nickel-chromium rack and tongs make handling easy.

SPEX SamplePrep graphite crucibles are available in two purities: high-purity, for trace-level analytical work, and economical regularpurity, good for most fusions. SPEX SamplePrep high-purity graphite has total metallic impurity limits of 2 ppm. SPEX SamplePrep regularpurity graphite typically has from 10 to 100 ppm each of Mg, Fe, Al, Si, and Cu; as these impurities are distributed throughout the graphite, contamination of the sample is minimal.

SPEX SamplePrep Cat. No. 7152 is the standard 9 ml fusion crucible found in most laboratories; long-time users should note the introduction of the 7152HP, the same crucible in purified graphite. For fusions where the 7152 is too small, SPEX SamplePrep Cat. No. 7156 is a standard graphite crucible with about three times the capacity of the 7152. (Cat. No. 7155 is the high-purity version of the 7156.)

SPEX SamplePrep flat-bottomed crucibles (catalog #7157-7162) are designed both as fusion crucibles and as molds for XRF cast glass discs; fusion of the sample and annealing of the discs can be completed in the same container. These crucibles have tapered walls to facilitate removal of the glass disc. The three different crucible sizes (31 mm, 33.6 mm, and 40 mm) produce discs which will fit the standard XRF masks of 31 mm, 35 mm, and 40 mm. The crucible bottoms are flat but not polished, so that for greatest analytical accuracy the discs should be flat-lapped.

While graphite is an ideal crucible material for many applications, withstanding temperatures well in excess of any required for even the most difficult borate fusions, it does oxidize slowly above 430° C; over a period of hours some erosion of the crucible can occur, the graphite converting to CO2. Because of this, graphite is not recommended for extremely lengthy fusions, or for fusions where the sample might be reduced.

SPEX SamplePrep also offers a complete line of borate fusion
fluxes and non-wetting agents.