Grinding Tools: Their Effect on Metal Contamination During Sample Preparation

摘要

Size reduction is an essential part of the preparation process for solid samples. A wide range of mills and crushers for coarse, fine and ultra-fine size reduction of almost any material are now available. Depending upon the nature of the sample, the grinding tools available and the required final fineness, the possibility always exists for some contamination from abrasion of the grinding tools when using laboratory mills. In the end however, while some contamination was evident with certain combinations of milling techniques and grinding or cutting tools, the amount was generally so low that it would not influence the outcome of any analytical result. Furthermore, almost all the contamination could be eliminated through correct selection of the materials used for the grinding and cutting tools.