Milestone DMA-80 evo - 6.3 Sample boat cleaning

Milestone Srl MA213-003 – DMA-80 EVO – User Manual
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6.3 Sample boat cleaning
Before working with used parts, which might be contaminated you should
wear:
o Mask anti dust FPP3;
o Disposables gloves
o Protection for the shoes.
The samples are weighed and carried out for measurement in special sample boats which can be made
of Nickel or Quartz.
Nickel boats 0,5ml sold
in pack of 40 pcs
Quartz boats 1,5ml
sold in pack of 10 pcs
Normally boats in nickel are indicated for solid samples or when you do not need to work at high precision
levels. Quartz boats are indicated for liquids or when you need high precise results free from any
minimum carry over effect.
Their volume does not refer to the maximum volume of sample you can put in the boats but it
refers to the maximum volume that they would be able to contain.
The amount of the sample does not depend by the capacity of the boats you are using but by the
application.
Standard volumes/amount recommended are:
- 0.1 ml for liquid samples (max 0.5ml)
- Up to 100mg for solid sample
- Always check the DMA-80 application note or contact Milestone representative of your
country to know the recommended amount to use before to analyse the sample.
- Always start by using the minimum amount allowed in case of unknown samples or of
unknown origin.
The nickel boats are more subjected to contamination than quartz and the lifetime strictly depends by use
and kind of sample introduced.
In order to avoid contamination from previous analysis it is suggested to clean them before starting to
work with next samples.
So, it is possible to put them in a muffle furnace (900°C for 10’ for quartz boats, 600°C for 10’ for metal
boats) or they can be run without sample in the DMA-80 EVO at 650°C (decomposition) for 180 seconds.
In case of residues of solid sample (ash, powder, etc.) you can remove them with a spatula.