51
1.
This visual inspection should be done every fusion cycle.
1.1
Look for vitrified, darker or colored spots on the ceramics parts that
make up the holders.
1.2
In the case that a spillage occurs on one or more parts of the holders,
clean or replace immediately.
1.3
See holders section of this manual to remove/replace/disassemble the
holders. Be extra careful, as some molten flux may have found its way
between components and act as a very strong “glue”.
2.
If parts are found to be contaminated with flux deposits, carefully disassemble
the parts in question and apply one of the following methods.
3.
For cleaning ceramic parts, a mechanical rubbing is typically sufficient. You
may use a specialized diamond file, or just another part made of alumina
ceramic. For smaller spills, the following procedure may be used.
WARNING:
Do not use these procedures to clean platinum crucibles or molds: it
will cause irreversible damage to precious metals.
3.1
In a large container (e.g.: 2 liter Pyrex beaker), mix together a 20%
Ammonium nitrate (NH
4
NO
3
) solution with a 20% Hydrochloric acid
(HCl) solution.
3.2
Put your container on a hot plate and keep the solution warm at 80°C.
(The cleaning solution will not work well until 80°C is reached.)
3.3
If your hot plate is equipped with a magnetic stirrer, you can add a
magnetic bar in the beaker to agitate the warm solution and accelerate
flux dissolution.
3.4
For a small or very recent spillage, 30 minutes to 1 hour should be
enough to clean it.
For a larger or older spillage, up to 2 hours could be required.
3.5
In case of large spillages, a diamond disc mounted on high-speed rotary
tools (e.g. Dremel™) can be used to remove major parts of spillage and
then the solution can be used to finalize the cleaning.
If a rotary tool is used, care must be taken in order not to grind the
ceramic part itself.
Holders
alignment and
functionality
This procedure describes how to ensure that both the crucible and mold holders
are properly positioned, and in working condition.
1.
Procedure preparation
1.1
Let the instrument cool down, and turn it off.
1.2
Unplug it from the power outlet.
2.
Inspection of the holders
Summary of Contents for X-FLUXER
Page 1: ...Automatic fluxer...
Page 2: ......
