Katanax X-Fluxer® X-600 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 X-Fluxer® X-600, like the two other models from Katanax, the X-100 and the X-300, is a fully automatic and fully electrically operated fusion fluxer, which guarantees fast, simple and above all reproducible sample preparation of up to 6 samples in parallel, with a throughput of up to 30 samples per hour. The Katanax X-Fluxer® X-600 does NOT require gas or other media, only a 230V power supply, which is the main safety aspect for most users. The X-600 therefore offers a high level of safety when used in the laboratory while minimising the demands on the infrastructure. The system has a high-performance muffle furnace with excellent temperature distribution. The heating elements are controlled separately (patent pending).

The Katanax X-Fluxer® X-600 can be used to produce either up to 6 glass beads for XRF or 6 solutions for ICP-OES / ICP-MS with the optionally available stirring station. The hot melt is poured into a stirred Teflon beaker with an acid bath. This stirring station with individually adjustable stirrer speed incl. 6 Teflon beakers, each with a stirring magnet, is already integrated at the factory when the order is placed; both processes (glass beads and solution) can then be carried out alternately in just one device.

The Katanax X-Fluxer® X-600 is operated intuitively via a colour LCD touchscreen with a multilingual graphic interface (including German, English, French, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, Italian and Chinese) 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 suit 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 and saved and can be called up again by the operator at any time. This means that the majority of existing samples that are routinely processed can already be handled. This makes the Katanax Fluxer X-600 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 customer-specific, free method development 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