MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY BALANCE MARK 1

The MKI Magnetic Susceptibility Balance displays results for the sample, R, and the blank tube, Ro, which are then used to calculate the mass susceptibility using the formula below. By using matched magnets and a printed circuit construction for the coil, balance to balance reproducibility is ensured.

Xg = Cl(R-Ro) / (10**9)m

Xg = mass susceptibility in c.g.s. units

C = calibration constant of the balance
I = length of sample in cm (1>1.5cm.)
m = mass of sample in gm
R = balance reading for sample in tube
Ro = balance reading for empty tube

The MK 1 Magnetic Susceptibility Balance has proven to be the ideal instrument for use in teaching laboratories throughout the world, where the reduced amounts of chemicals required for an experiment saves on material costs, and minimizes waste products disposal.

Compared with the traditional Gouy balance methods, the Sherwood Scientific MK 1 Magnetic Susceptibility Balance exhibits many advantages:

• Ease and speed of use. Place the sample tube in the balance and get an immediate digital read-out.
• Measurement can be made on a wide range of diamagnetic and paramagnetic materials.
• The fixed sample tube allows susceptibility measurement of solids, liquids and gases.
• The technique has comparable sensitivity and is as accurate as traditional methods of measurement.
• The cost of the balance is significantly lower than a complete Gouy balance system.
• The instantaneous digital read-out can be used to calculate magnetic susceptibility using a simple equation. This gives significant time savings in both set-up and measurement.
• Small sample size - the balance normally works with a sample weight of around 250 mg. but, by using a thin-bore sample tube, as little as 50mg. is required to give an accurate measurement.
• Analogue output. Using a flow cell, allows a chemical reaction resulting in a change of susceptibility to be monitored dynamically. This allows new applications to be investigated, for example, redox reactions.
• The equipment is compact, lightweight and hence easily portable. Only a 110V or 240V mains supply is required.

Applications of Magnetic Susceptibility measurements

As all substances exhibit magnetic properties it is possible to use magnetic phenomena to identify, differentiate and quantitatively measure components and contaminants in mixtures non destructively. Occasionally the magnetic susceptibility measurement offers a unique solution to a difficult analytical problem. We are happy to consider any new applications for the magnetic susceptibility balance.

Sherwood Scientific has been collecting and developing methods for many years and the following list illustrates the wide variety of possible applications;

• Wear particulate analysis directly on lubricating oils
• QC of industrial diamonds for trace metal contaminants
• Pesticide and pharmaceutical analysis by the generation of free radicals
• Examination of chemical reactions on a microscale and in a protected environment
• Characterization of ion exchange adsorption and desorption processes
• Analysis of rare earth elements and their oxidation states
• Qualitative analysis of metal complexes
• QC of catalysts in the petrochemical and plastics industries
• Archaeological studies of soil samples to indicate human occupation via the relative oxidation state of metal constituents
• Measurement of the oxidation state of hemoglobin
• Quality control in the fabrication of superconductors