XRD McCrone Mills

The XRD-Mill McCrone was specially developed for the preparation of samples for subsequent X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mill is used for applications in geology, chemistry, mineralogy and materials science, quality control as well as R&D.

Because of its unique grinding motion, the XRD-Mill McCrone is particularly effective for this analytical method: The 48 cylindrical grinding elements grind the samples gently via friction. The result is a short grinding time with almost no sample loss and an exceptionally narrow particle size distribution. Consequently, the signals in the X-ray diffraction pattern are peak-shaped, with small half-widths, allowing for very good phase analysis.
The crystal lattice structure is largely preserved, with almost no defects, a prerequisite for meaningful X-ray diffraction patterns.

The grinding vessel consists of a 125 ml capacity polypropylene jar fitted with a screw capped gasketless polyethylene closure. The jar is filled with an ordered array of 48 identical cylindrical grinding elements, available in agate, zirconium oxide or corundum. The grinding time for optimum micronization is between 3 and 30 minutes. A typical sample volume is between 2 and 4 ml.