QUARTZ PARTING & ANNEALING BASKETS – QUARTZ GOLD ANNEALING CRUCIBLES – Allowed by ISO11426
Quartz parting and annealing basket during the parting process with nitric acid
We supply a range of quartz baskets that allow to carry out the successive parting and annealing operations in the same container.
The reason this is possible, is that quartz baskets are capable of withstanding:
- Attack of concentrated nitric acid
- High temperature necessary for annealing (up to 1000ºC)
- Thermal shock due to very low coefficient of thermal expansion.
Consequently, they can substitute both parting flasks, and gold annealing crucibles.
Furthermore, they are also suitable for processing samples in parallel during the two nitric acid attacks (the first with nitric acid 33%, the second with nitric acid 49%), and then go directly in the gold annealing furnace (after rincing with water).
In addition to this, the baskets are fitted with removable thimbles with thin slits to evacuate the nitric acid / distilled water and possess a flange at the top to fit the holes of the basket. Thererfore, it is possible to supply them as spares in case of breakage. There are two types of quartz thimbles / crucibles and they suit most cornet sizes. For bullion analysis that requires 500mg samples, we also supply larger baskets with larger R3 thimbles:
– R1 Thimble: With cross slits with 8mm internal diameter
– R2 Thimble: With laterla slits with 8mm internal diameter
– Larger R3 Thimble for bullion analysis 12mm internal diameter
Types of available quartz thimbles R3, R1, and R2
Last but not least, we also supply the borosilicate beakers in various sizes to fit the diagonal of the baskets. The beakers are supplied with watch lids or with a chimney to avoid nitric acid spillage at boiling point or to conduct the vapours.
The following parting and annealing baskets configurations are available in stock, and larger baskets (64 or 81 pieces are available under order):
Quartz partind and gold annealing Baskets
Basket
ReferenceDimensions (L x W x H)
(mm)Capacity
(samples)Picture Adapted
Beaker
QBR-9 57x57x70 9 (3 x 3) 
BBW-9
QBR-16 72x72x70 16 (4 x 4) 
BBW-16
QBR-25 87x87x70 25 (5 x 5) 
BBW-25
QBR-36 102x102x70 36 (6 x 6) 
BBW-36
QBR-49 117x117x70 49 (7 x 7) 
BBW-49
QBL-16 92 x 92 x 70 16 (4 x 4) BBW-25
QBL-25 112x112x70 25 (5 x 5) 
BBW-49
ADVANTAGES OF QUARTZ PARTING & ANNEALING BASKETS
TEMPERATURE RESISTANCE
Quartz resists temperatures up to 1000ºC.
Furthermore, quartz has an extremely low thermal expansion coefficient (5.5×10−7/°C ; 20–320°C). This allows our parting and annealing baskets to resist rapid and large temperature changes without cracking (they have a great resistance to thermal shock).
EFFICIENY IMPROVEMENT IN OPERATIONS
Quartz baskets allow full scalability to mass analysis production stage.
Extends inherent parallel processing capabilities of Fire Assay.
Save time and reduce manipulation hazards.
ECONOMIC SAVINGS
Quartz parting and annealing baskets save Labour, Reagents (HNO3 – H2O), Reduced Energy consumption.
