펠렛 프레스 PP 40

Stabilizing pressed pelletts

Applying, for example, forces of 10 tons, 20 tons, and 30 tons in sequential steps, each with a 20-second hold time, proves advantageous for pellet stability as particles have sufficient time to settle. Pressing the pellets in aluminum cups further augments their stability. Should these measures prove inadequate, incorporating a binder, such as Licowax, offers an effective stabilization method for challenging samples, including metal powders. Typically, a mixture of 10-15 g of the sample with 2 g of Licowax, pressed in three stages as outlined above, yields optimum results. For the mixing process, the Mixer Mill MM 400, equipped with an adapter for holding 8 conical centrifuge tubes, is highly effective. It ensures that samples are mixed uniformly, automatically, and reproducibly.

3 recommendations to obtain reliable XRF results

1. Particle size reduction
   Pulverize the sample into a fine powder of < 100 µm or less, depending on the element to be detected, before pressing it into a pellet. This size reduction helps mitigate matrix effects, including grain size and texture variations, which can distort XRF results.
2. Uniformity and homogeneity
   Press the sample into a pellet to ensure uniformity and homogeneity. This is crucial for XRF analysis which relies on consistent interaction between the X-rays and the sample to produce accurate and reproducible results. Homogeneity guarantees that the results represent the entire sample.
3. Enhanced analytical precision and accuracy
   Create a dense and uniform pellet with a smooth and flat surface to enhance precision and accuracy of the XRF analysis. A smooth surface ensures consistent X-ray penetration and reduces the scatter, thereby improving the quality of the analytical results.