Online Resource for Accurate Melting Point Determination in Chemical Laboratories Now Available
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Zurich, Switzerland. 24 May 2012 - METTLER TOLEDO has launched a new online resource for chemical industry laboratories that focuses on features and benefits of the company's technology solutions which includes a free downloadable tips and tricks booklet at http://www.mt.com/ChemLab
Melting Point Determination is a common task in chemical laboratories to test the purity and characteristics of substances. The melting point is defined as the temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid at standard atmospheric pressure. While the measurement principle is straightforward, there are quite a few things that can simplify operator work and ensure better results. Below are a few tips and tricks that will greatly improve melting point determination.
Among the tips and tricks detailed in the new resource:
o Make sure the heating rate is at 1 degree Celsius per minute; most measuring errors come from too high heating rates. Tip to save time: If testing an unknown sample with a high melting point, it is suggested to run a pre-test with higher heating rates, to get a rough idea of the melting point.
o Be sure to grind the sample to a very fine powder and pack it into the capillary without leaving air pockets. Too large pieces and loose packing will result in inefficient heat transfer - and faulty results.
o Do not overfill or underfill the capillary tube to avoid wrong results. The ideal filling height of the capillary tubes is normally specified by the producer of your instrument. Too large samples will result in a too wide or too high MP range; too small samples might make it impossible to observe the MP range. METTLER TOLEDO has developed a simple mechanism to always check if capillary tubes are filled properly.
To learn other techniques, operators can visit http://www.mt.com/ChemLab
About METTLER TOLEDO
METTLER TOLEDO specializes in the area of precision instruments for professional use. METTLER TOLEDO laboratory instruments are used in research, scientific, drug discovery, and quality control labs, amongst many others in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetics industries. METTLER TOLEDO comprehensive industrial solutions cover the various steps in a host of manufacturing processes at many of the same customers that laboratory serves. Solutions range from receiving raw materials through various manufacturing processes, in-line process control and end-of-line packaging control, to logistics and shipping. Increasingly, these solutions are fully integrated into the customer's IT environment, helping automate their workflows. In food retail, our offering for fresh food management ranges from receiving and pre-packaging, to in-store solutions for self-service departments, deli counters, and checkout terminals.
