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Leveling
In order to obtain glass beads with a regular thickness, it is important that the
molds be reasonably horizontal upon pouring. If in doubt, place a lightweight
bubble spirit level on the molds and adjust instrument's feet to compensate for
possible slant. (See page 29 for mold installation details.)
Heating
element
protection
To protect the heating elements, especially during the initial fusion method
development phase, different protection devices are available. They represent a
simple way of shielding the elements from the sputtering that may occur during a
fusion that is not optimally set yet.
Katanax offers a protective plate, made of a dark-colored ceramic, and clear
tubes. The plate covers all bottom elements simultaneously, while tubes can be
installed over top elements and/or bottom elements (when no plate is installed).
The dark ceramic plates is very resistant to flux and chemicals, and can be used in
all types of sample preparation. This is the protection method that Katanax
recommends.
Alternatively, two clear tube material choices are available: Quartz and Sapphire.
The Quartz tubes (part number KP5010E, sold as a pack of 8) are inexpensive,
but while these tubes will normally last very long, they are not the best choice if
you plan on using Iodine-based releasing/non-wetting agent in your fusion
recipes. Indeed, those compounds (LiI, KI, NH
their iodine, which readily attacks quartz (SiO
Hence, if you are using (or plan on using) an Iodine-based releasing agent, we do
not recommend to install quartz tubes; rather, if you want a protection on the
elements, use Sapphire tubes or a protective plate.
In short:
1.
2.
If you do not use iodine-based non-wetting agent:
a.
You can install optional Quartz tubes (p/n KP5010E) or Sapphire
tubes (p/n KP5011E) – or
b.
You can install an optional protective plate (p/n KP1200A), with or
without tubes protecting the top elements – or
c.
You can use the instrument without any optional protection
If you want to use iodine-based non-wetting agents:
a.
You cannot use Quartz tubes.
b.
You can order/install optional Sapphire tubes (p/n KP5011E) – or
c.
You can install an optional protective plate (p/n KP1200A), with or
without Sapphire tubes protecting the top elements – or
d.
You can use the instrument without this optional protection
I...) will evaporate almost entirely
4
).
2
7
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