SediGraph™ III 5120 Analyzer

The Science and Technology of Small Particles™ New Improvements to a Classic Technique

SediGraph III 5120 Particle Size Analyzer

Proven Technique and Reliability For over three decades, the Micromeritics SediGraph has remained the standard instrument for particle size analysis in many laboratories throughout the world. Whether in a rugged production environment or a controlled laboratory setting, the SediGraph continues to produce accurate results with superior reliability. Particle size distribution is measured using the sedimentation method. Particle mass is measured directly via X-ray absorption. By measuring the rate at which particles fall under gravity through a liquid having known properties as described by Stokes’ law, the SediGraph determines the equivalent spherical diameter of particles ranging from 300 to 0.1 micrometers.

The new generation SediGraph III 5120 combines this proven technique with new technology to deliver reproducible and highly accurate particle size information, completing most analyses in minutes.

Intelligent Design Features The SediGraph III 5120 offers advanced instrumentation features that ensure meas- urements are repeatable and easy to perform. New features make it easier to operate and • Utilization of a simplified pumping system maintain the instrument, and the results can ensures fast and easy maintenance be reliably reproduced by SediGraphs in • Computer-controlled mixing chamber other locations. Design improvements • Reduced noise level for a quieter temperature improves repeatability and include: working environment reproducibility

• A maintenance reminder, based on the • A highly versatile and interactive number of analyses performed, alerts you reporting system provides a wide range when it is time for routine maintenance of custom data presentation options and now includes particle settling velocity and grain size in Phi units A Wide Variety of SediGraph III 5120 Benefits • Complete particle accountability Applications assures that all of the introduced sample Ceramics: The size range of particles Pigments: is accounted for, including any fraction and the distribution of mass in each size Particle size alone can above 300 µm and below 0.1 µm class strongly affect the ability to sinter a affect the tinting strength of a color. As • Capability to merge data with that ceramic and its forming properties tinting strength goes up, the quantity of from other particle sizing methods, thus as well as the pore size distribution in the pigment needed to produce required color extending the range of reported data to finished product. Particle size distribution intensity goes down. The particle size 125,000 µm (125 mm), excellent for information helps determine curing and affects the hiding power of the paints. geological applications bonding procedures, control pore struc- Also the particle size distribution influ- • Scanning the sedimentation cell from ture, ensure adequate green body strength, ences gloss, texture, color saturation and bottom to top allows accurate inventory and produce a final product of desired brightness. of fast-settling particles while minimizing strength, texture, appearance, and density. Catalysts: Particle size affects the catalytic the time required to resolve the separation Metal : By controlling particle activity of a metal for structure-sensitive of fine particles size, very specific pore characteristics catalytic reactions. • Fully automatic operation increases can be designed into a product. Porosity Construction Materials: Particle size of sample throughput and reduces operator characteristics often are the key to product cement affects setting time and strength involvement in addition to reducing the performance. Similar to ceramics, the characteristics of the finished concrete opportunity for human error particle size distribution is critical to and cement. • Temperature-controlled analyses green body and final product strength assure that liquid properties remain and density. and Inorganic Chemicals: constant throughout the analysis so you Reactivity of materials is dependent upon Geological/Soil Science: Grain size can be confident of accurate results exposed surface area and thus particle affects the moisture-holding capacity of size distribution. • Multiple analysis speeds allow you to soil, drainage rate, and the soil’s ability to choose the desired combination of speed hold nutrients. Grain size is directly related Abrasives: A properly balanced size dis- and resolution that meets your needs to transport of sediment. tribution of abrasive grains and powders • Real-Time display allows you to monitor is a fundamental consideration whether Cosmetics: The appearance, application, the cumulative mass plot of the current the material is to be used in slurries, dry and packaging of cosmetics are influenced analysis and to make immediate proce- blasting, or bonded abrasive tools. Uniform by the particle size distribution of base dural changes if needed particle size assures precise flow rates powders, such as talc, and the pigments through blast machines and is a critical • Statistical process control (SPC) used for coloring. reports track the performance of your determination in media management processes allowing immediate response when recycling the abrasive material. to fluctuations • Plot overlays provide a visual comparison of analysis results from one or more analyses; a reference or baseline analysis, for example, or a superposition of two different types of plots of the same analysis data • Data comparison plots provide graphical displays of the mathematical difference between two data sets (difference from reference plot) or the extent of a data point value above or below a tolerance boundary (out of specification plot) • Multiple analyzer control allows two SediGraph III’s to be operated simultaneously from a single computer, conserving valuable lab space and making data storage convenient An Enduring and Proven Particle Size Method

Sample Cell X-Ray Safety Interlock

The Endurance of the SediGraph Method

The SediGraph has been employed in a X-Ray Controls wide variety of industrial applications since its embodiment into a commercial instru- ment in 1967. To confirm its wide use in various applications throughout the world, X-Ray Security one needs only to type in ‘sedigraph’ as the Key Lock Temperature- search key for any Internet search engine. Pump Auto-Manual Controlled Controls The instrument has undergone many Analysis improvements in speed, sample handling, Compartment and data reduction and reporting since its introduction. However, the fundamental Temperature- analytical technique continues to be based Controlled on two well-established and well-under- Mixing Chamber stood physical phenomena—sedimentation and photon absorption. Stokes’ law is applied to determine particle size by meas- Magnetic urement of the terminal settling velocities Stirrer of sample particles of various sizes. Supply and Relative mass concentration for each size Waste Liquid class is determined by applying the Beer- Lines Lambert-Bouguer law to the measured Sample absorption of a low-power X-ray beam Circulation Fill/Drain Pump Easy Access Pump projected through the fraction of sample Air Filter Tray Overflow remaining in . The elegant sim- Drain plicity of the Stokes and Beer-Lambert- Bouguer laws means that interpretation of raw data is straight-forward; the analyst easily can understand the relationship Stokes’ Law between the basic measurements and the Stokes’ law simply states that the terminal settling velocity of a spherical particle in reported size distribution. All experimental a fluid medium is proportional to the square of the diameter of the particle. parameters are easily determined, data Stokes’ law applies rigorously providing that a certain relationship between these reduction is uncomplicated and fast, and variables, the particle diameter and the settling velocity, is not violated. there is no requirement to ‘bias’ the data Application: if a collection of particles of various diameters is uniformly dispersed in a reduction software toward a particular liquid of density less than that of the particles and then allowed to settle under gravity, distribution modality. it accurately can be predicted when all particles below any given size will have fallen below any given level. The size distribution of the particles can be extracted from this information. For a detailed description of the SediGraph technique refer to ISO 13317- 3:2001 Determination of particle size distribution by gravitational liquid sedimentation methods – Part 3: X-ray gravitational technique. RS 232 Port to MasterTech RS 232 Port to Computer

Quality Measurement Results Critical decisions or conclusions may be based on size measurements, therefore your confidence in the quality of those measurements should be well-founded. Data accuracy is particularly important in research applications. Accuracy describes Exhaust Vents how closely the measurement agrees with the accepted or ‘true’ value. Repeatability and reproducibility are of equal impor- tance in quality control applications. Repeatability describes the ability to pro- duce the same results over a series of measurements of the same sample. Reproducibility of measurements usually pertains to different instruments in different facilities, an important instrument quality in assuring that each facility will produce equivalent products.

An easy-to-use instrument with the capability Power Outlet Adjustable Leveling Feet to produce precise, repeatable, and repro- Main Power Switch ducible data reliably and automatically at high throughput rates epitomizes the ideal measuring tool. The SediGraph is renowned for repeatability and reproducibility and is Sedimentation, X-ray Absorption used as a quality control instrument in many industries that require consistent product to The SediGraph uses a narrow collimated beam of X-rays to measure directly the particle be produced in every factory location. concentration in the liquid medium. This is done by first measuring the intensity of a Likewise, the accuracy of the SediGraph baseline or reference X-ray beam which is projected through the cell windows and also has earned it a high level of respect. through the liquid medium prior to the introduction of the sample. A homogeneously The SediGraph directly measures the X-ray dispersed mixture of solid sample and liquid is next pumped through the cell. The absorption mass of the sample and reports attenuated X-ray beam is measured to establish a value for full scale attenuation. mass distribution – no modeling is required! Agitation of the mixture is ceased and the dispersion is allowed to settle while X-ray Many particle size reference materials used intensity is monitored. During the sedimentation process, the largest particles fall below to test sizing instruments are qualified by the the measuring level, and progressively finer and manufacturer using a SediGraph. finer particles do so until only the finest remain near the top of the measuring cell. Extremely Versatile Data Presentation and Reporting System

The SediGraph III 5120 is equipped with a versatile, easy-to-use user interface that provides all of the convenient features you expect from a Windows®-based program. These features include point-and-click menus, customizable reports with your laboratory logo graphic, editable graphs, cut-and-paste graphics and tables, data export features, and more. Custom protocols help plan, launch, and control the analysis and assure that subsequent analyses are all performed in the same manner, regardless of the skill of the operator. You can collect, organize, archive and reduce raw data, and store standardized sample information and analysis conditions for easy access during later applications. Finished reports may be gen- erated to screen, paper, or transferred in a variety of formats to storage devices.

Data Reporting Tabular report and cumulative finer Detailed analysis data for particles ranging mass versus phi plot for soil sample from 300 to 0.1 µm are provided automati- cally by the SediGraph III. Data collected from other particle size analyses ranging from 125,000 to 300 µm can be combined with SediGraph data, enabling effective reporting for particles ranging from 125,000 to 0.1 µm. That fraction finer than 0.1 µm is also indicated.

In addition to tabular data, different graphical analysis plot types are available including: Plots can be over- • Cumulative Mass, Area, and Number laid for comparing • Settling Velocity Distribution the results from • Process Control Charts different samples or for comparing different A new column has been added to the tables • Log Probability plot types from the same sample. This and to the x-axis selection in the graphs that Φ • Baseline/Full Scale References allows you to compare analysis results to reports size in Phi units, where = -log2 • Frequency Distribution a standard. Plots can be rescaled to give (particle diameter in mm). Also, a column • Difference From Reference you the ability to scrutinize closely your selection for settling velocity (cm/s) is • Out of Specification graphical data. available for tables. The x-axis of plots can • Rosin-Rammler be scaled in particle size or settling velocity. • Regression Analyses The SediGraph is the only automated particle sizing instrument that directly measures settling velocity. SPC Reporting and Regression Accessories circuit is self-tuning for maintaining Analyses efficient and consistent sonic energy The MasterTech™ levels. A front-panel digital readout Statistical Process Control (SPC) reporting 052 Autosampler lets you know when the desired provides an easy method for continuously The MasterTech 052 power is reached, and that same monitoring production processes and Autosampler provides power is applied each time the reducing response times to deviations from assurance that sam- method is repeated. The SediGraph the standard. Regression analyses allow ples are prepared and III 5120 is designed to accommodate you to determine the relationship between analyzed exactly the the MasterTech on top of the analy- a control parameter, for example, and a same way, every time. tical unit, thus conserving valuable measured characteristic of the sample. The MasterTech bench space. Select from 26 axis variables including: is designed to • Mean increase throughput, • Mode repeatability, and reproducibility while SediSperse® • Median reducing operator involvement. Up to 18 Homogeneous sample dispersion is • Size at (percentile) samples can be queued to run sequentially crucial for obtaining accurate and repro- • Standard Deviation and completely unattended, including auto- ducible results in any particle size study. • Coefficient of Variation matic stirring or sonication prior to transfer Micromeritics produces a complete line of •- N σ Size to the analysis system. The SediGraph III’s SediSperse dispersing liquids specifically •+ N σ Size operating software controls the MasterTech, designed to maximize particle suspension • Skewness and information about dispersion is stored and eliminate agglomeration of particles. • Kurtosis in the sample file for future reference. SediSperse liquids are available in nine vari- • Specific Surface Area ations of aqueous and organic • Cumulative Percent at Size The MasterTech features a powerful ultra- and are effective in dispersing most materials. • Percent Out of Specification sonic probe for sample redispersion. Power • Full Scale Scan Pump Speed to the probe tip is adjustable and the driving •MasterTech Stirrer Speed •MasterTech Stirrer Time •MasterTech Ultrasonic Probe Time • Particle Density • Liquid Viscosity • Liquid Density Cumulative finer • Three User-defined (External) Parameters mass versus diame- ter plot and SPC control chart for fine calcium car- bonate sample

To request a quote or additional product information, visit Micromeritics’ web site at www.micromeritics.com, contact your local Micromeritics sales representative, or our Customer Service Department at (770) 662-3636. The Science and Technology of Small Particles™

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