Katanax X-Fluxer® X-300 fusion FLUXER

Product Description

The preparation of glass beads for X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) or solutions for ICP analysis (ICP-AES, ICP-OES or ICP-MS) is one of the standard methods for sample preparation.

The previously ground and homogenised sample, such as cement, rock or ore, is mixed with a suitable fusion flux (e.g. lithium borate) and melted in a platinum crucible in a furnace. The oxidic sample is completely dissolved in a borate glass and, after the dissolution process, emptied from the platinum crucible into a mold while still hot. This results in a homogeneous glass bead with an extremely smooth surface without matrix effects.

The Katanax Fluxer X-300, like the X-Fluxer® X-600, is a fully automatic and fully electrically operated fusion fluxer, which ensures fast, simple and, above all, reproducible sample preparation of one to three samples in parallel, with a throughput of up to 15 samples per hour. The Katanax Fluxer X-300 does NOT require gas or other media, only a 230V power supply. The X-300 therefore offers a high degree of safety for use in the laboratory while minimising infrastructure requirements. The system has a high-performance muffle furnace with excellent temperature distribution. The heating elements are controlled separately (patent pending).

The Katanax Fluxer X-300 can be used to produce either glass beads for XRF or acid digestions, e.g. for ICP-OES / ICP-MS, with the optional stirring station. The hot melt is poured into a stirred Teflon beaker with an acid bath.

The Katanax Fluxer X-300 is operated intuitively via a colour LCD touchscreen with a multilingual graphical interface (including German, English, French, etc.) and is pre-programmed with various fusion methods (e.g. for oxides, minerals, metals, alloys, fluorides, sulphides, peroxide and solution, etc.), which can be used directly or adapted to specific samples. This allows the user to start sample preparation immediately. An Ethernet and USB connection are also available to the user for data transfer. These can be used for remote control, remote diagnostics or for direct connection to an existing laboratory information system (LIMS).

The parameters for the heating process in several steps, the mixing time and the intensity of the mixing (speed and deflection angle of the crucible) as well as for the pouring and cooling process (passive and active via fans) are preset, saved and run automatically. They can be called up and edited by the operator at any time. This means that the majority of existing and routinely processed samples can already be handled. This makes the Katanax Fluxer X-300 a fusion fluxer for all conceivable applications – it can also be used for solid oxidation, peroxide and pyrosulphate fusion. For new samples and methods, we also offer our users a customised, free method development service based on material samples sent in, including the creation of individual application documents.

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Specifications

Options and Accessories

• Free, customer-specific method development based on submitted material samples and the preparation of customized application documentation

• Optional stirring station, including a Teflon beaker with a magnetic stirrer, for preparing solutions, e.g., for ICP-OES / ICP-MS

• Platinum crucibles (95% platinum / 5% gold) with a 30-ml capacity, available in standard and reinforced versions for standard fusions, as well as with a curved rim

• Zirconia crucible (100%) with a 30-ml capacity for peroxide fusion

• Platinum molds (95% platinum / 5% gold) with diameters of 30, 32, 35, and 40 mm, available in standard and reinforced versions, each with a depth of 6 mm

• Interchangeable mold holders, for molds with a diameter of 30, 32, 35, or 40 mm

• Fusing flux lithium tetraborate (LiT, Li₂B₄O₇) and lithium metaborate (LiM, LiBO₂) in two grades of purity (99.99% “Pure” and 99.998% “Ultra Pure”), each available in pure form or in various mixing ratios (LiT/LiM: 67/33; 50/50; 35/65, etc.), each with or without lithium bromide (LiBr) or lithium iodide (LiI) as non-wetting agent (NWA)

• Oxidizing agent LiNO3

• Additives added directly to the solution or as solids (LiBr, LiI, LiF)

• 120-ml Teflon beaker, including a magnetic stir bar, for preparing solutions

Applications