12
Oct, 2023
Applications for pressed pellets in XRF analysis.
Sample preparation in any analytical chemistry technique is important but in XRF is particularly critical because different sample preparation methods and conditions can yield very different results even if the analysis is only qualitative, therefore the analysts in XRF must be well trained in the chosen sample preparation technique. Ways...Read article
21
Mar, 2023
Accelerating XRF pellet production with Apex
Benefits of Apex Pressing a pellet is a two-stage process involving sample compaction followed by pellet extraction. The procedure takes place in a “pellet die”, which consists of a thick-walled cylindrical tube, a matching piston or “plunger”, and a cap to blank off one end of the tube. A hydraulic…Read article
8
Feb, 2023
How much load will you need for your press?
Hydraulic presses designed by Specac for use in laboratories have maximum load ratings spanning a range from 2 to 40 tonnes (20 to 400 kN). What tonnage range will you need? It all depends on what you are trying to achieve. In particular, you should consider the type…Read article
7
Nov, 2022
How To Operate a Manual Hydraulic Press
A manual hydraulic press is a mechanical device that uses hydraulic pressure to crush or compress various materials. These presses are commonly used in laboratories to prepare samples for analysis, such as KBr pellets for FTIR spectroscopy, or general sample pellets for XRF. Manual hydraulic presses typically consist of a...Read article
21
Oct, 2022
Types of Hydraulic Press Explained [Video]
Laboratory presses are often used to study the material properties or to prepare samples for further analysis. Find out about the types of press here in our video, you can also learn more about the types of hydraulic press in more detail in our previous article Types of Hydraulic Press…Read article
22
Sep, 2022
Types of Hydraulic Press Explained
Types of Laboratory Press Explained A laboratory press is a device used to apply pressure to a sample, in order to compress or compact it. Laboratory presses are often employed to study the properties of materials, or to prepare samples for further analysis. Laboratory presses are typically equipped with a...Read article
22
Sep, 2022
What Is a Laboratory Hydraulic Press Used For?
What Is a Laboratory Hydraulic Press Used For? Sample Preparation for Spectroscopy One of the most common uses of a laboratory hydraulic press is to create KBr (potassium bromide) pellets for FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), as well as general sample pellets for XRF (X-ray fluorescence). FTIR is a type…Read article
22
Aug, 2022
What Are the Benefits of a Hydraulic Mini Press?
Hydraulic presses – also known as Bramah presses – are used to produce solid samples for analysis by infra-red spectroscopy. FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared) spectroscopy is an analytical technique which determines a sample’s molecular structure. One way to prepare a sample for this analysis is to dilute it in a material…Read article
24
Feb, 2022
XRF analysis in the steel industry | Spectroscopy Solutions
Steel production is a highly technical process which requires careful control of the alloy constituents to achieve the best mechanical properties. When ores are melted down in a smelter, various minerals (e.g. silica) in the ore combine with the other ingredients of the furnace to produce waste liquid rock called…Read article
14
Jun, 2021
Metal matrix composite research with the Autotouch | Spectroscopy Solutions
Composite materials with hybrid properties are now common as engineering materials. In the form of glass-fibre reinforced plastics, carbon fibre composites, and laminated construction products such as plywood, composite materials have been commonplace for decades. For application critical components such as piston heads and connecting rods in internal combustion engines,…Read article
14
Dec, 2020
XRF food + beverage analysis | Spectroscopy Solutions
The globalization of food markets and the relative ease with which food commodities are transported between countries, means that consumers are increasingly concerned about the origin of the foods they eat. The food and drink industry is constantly striving to attain improved quality and security for its products. The demands…Read article
14
Jul, 2020
How to use an Automatic Hydraulic Press | Spectroscopy Guides
This is a brief guide to the basics of using the Specac Autotouch Press, often used for XRF sample preparation and FTIR sample pressing, along with other applications. For more information watch our webinar here. A Step-By-Step Guide to the Automatic Hydraulic Press Follow these basic steps when using the Autotouch Automatic…Read article
19
Jan, 2020
XRF analysis of food products
Elemental analyses of food and drink products are undertaken to determine the level of metal and mineral content. XRF is a common analysis in many grain and dairy products, screening for contaminants and nutrients. The food industry is constantly striving to attain improved quality and security for its products. The…Read article
18
Dec, 2019
Sample preparation for XRF measurements in mining control.
Sample heterogeneity affects the accuracy and repeatability of many X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) measurements. The mineral mining industry has a need for XRF measurements at several stages of the recovery process, and a range of automated, high-throughput sample preparation process are in place to speed up the analysis and give timely…Read article
23
Sep, 2019
XRF cement analysis | Spectroscopy Solutions
Cement is a primary building material in the modern world; as a major constituent of buildings, concrete structures and roads the consistency of its composition during production is essential. A major method of quality control (QC) for cement production is XRF spectroscopy as it can provide fast and accurate analysis…Read article
14
Aug, 2019
XRF Sample Preparation Techniques: Pellets versus Loose Powder | Spectroscopy Guides
We recently compared the effectiveness of loose powder against prepared pellets for the x-ray fluorescent spectroscopic analysis of cement. Some users choose to carry out XRF without pressing the sample into a pellet. Despite the extra time involved in sample pellet preparation, which involves the use of a hydraulic laboratory press, our results show…Read article
14
Jul, 2019
We analyzed cement using XRF | Spectroscopy Solutions
The X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopic analysis of cement samples usually requires XRF pellet preparation using a hydraulic laboratory press such as the Manual Hydraulic Press and a powerful sample-grinding mill such as the P6 Planetary Ball Mill. XRF analysis of cement application note We have published a brand new application…Read article
14
May, 2019
Environmental testing with XRF | Spectroscopy Solutions
Monitoring of inorganic environmental pollutants is an ongoing challenge for analytical chemists. This informative guide will help explain environmental testing with XRF. To establish the quality of different compartments of our environment (atmosphere, indoor air, water basins, soil, biota) in general a relatively large number of samples must be taken…Read article
14
Apr, 2019
KBr Pellet Common Faults | Spectroscopy Guides
Generally, it is easy to produce a good quality KBr pellet if a decent Evacuable Pellet Die is used correctly, in conjunction with an appropriate Hydraulic Press. However, some faults in the produced sample pellet may occur due to a variety of reasons. This guide advises users how to make a KBr pellet for…Read article
14
Nov, 2018
XRF analysis for steel production | Spectroscopy Solutions
Steel production is a highly technical process which requires careful control of the alloy constituents to achieve the best mechanical properties. |Part of the steel making process involves the removal of slag. Slag is the remains of the smelted ore generated by high temperature metallurgical activity. Ores (e.g., Iron, copper,…Read article
31
Jan, 2018
How Does a Hydraulic Pellet Press Work? | Animated Guides
A hydraulic press is a compression device that makes use of an exerted force placed upon a fluid, to create a resulting force according to Pascal’s Law. It was actually invented by Joseph Bramah, so is also known as the Bramah Press. What is Pascal’s Law? The Hydraulic Principle Explained Pascal’s Law is…Read article
29
Jan, 2018
Video: How to press XRF pellets using an automatic hydraulic press | Spectroscopy Guides
This video was prepared at Specac, to demonstrate how efficient, easy-to-use and powerful the Autotouch automatic hydraulic press is for the preparation of XRF pellets for X-ray Fluorescence spectroscopic analysis. In this video we compressed milk powder into an XRF pellet, using a Pellet Die for housing the sample. How to…Read article
14
Nov, 2017
What are XRF binding agents? | Spectroscopy Guides
X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) is an analytical technique used in several industries for sample characterisation, quality control, and contaminant detection. It involves illuminating the sample with X-rays and measuring the intensity of light emitted through fluorescence of the excited elements in the material, revealing its elemental makeup. This fundamental technique…Read article
26
Sep, 2017
How to use a Manual Hydraulic Press | Spectroscopy Guides
This is a brief guide to the basics of using the Specac Manual Hydraulic Press, often used for KBr pellet preparation, XRF sample preparation and FTIR pellet pressing, along with other applications. Basic guide: How to use a Manual Hydraulic Press If you need to contact Specac regarding a service or…Read article
14
Aug, 2017
How to prepare liquid samples for XRF | Spectroscopy Guides
New and more complex formulations for lubricants, fuels and oils are constantly being developed because of the drive for lower costs and improved quality, as well as the growth of biofuels. Consequently, industry and scientists need to analyze liquids for regulation compliance and to check for contamination. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) allows…Read article
14
Jun, 2017
XRF pellet preparation for mined mineral analysis
Sample heterogeneity affects the accuracy and repeatability of many X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) measurements. Consistent sample preparation is required for measurements that are fully representative of the whole sample composition. The mineral mining industry has a need for several different measurements at different stages of the recovery process, and the sample…Read article
14
Mar, 2017
XRF plastics and polymers analysis | Spectroscopy Solutions
Plastics are ubiquitous in modern life with polyethylene and polypropylene being two of the most commonly used. These plastics can be found in anything from plastic carrier bags to children’s toys, to thermoplastics and consumer products. Polyethylene and polypropylene are polymers produced from α-olefins which are polymerized using the high-pressure…Read article
14
Apr, 2016
Developing Sustained Release Pharmaceuticals | Sample Preparation
A Sustained-Release Drug Delivery System is specially designed to provide a drug in the human body at a predetermined and constant rate (zero order dissolution). In this way, the level of a drug can be maintained at a continuous level, usually over an extended period of time with the least…Read article