IKA MultiDrive MI 400.3 hammer, tungsten carbide, for MI 400, 0020023172

Solid-state physics and tribological resistance in scaled-down volumes

In geochemical analysis, metallurgy and materials testing, the large-volume comminution of extremely hard, mineral or ceramic sample matrices reaches fundamental physical limits. Standard stainless steel grinding tools suffer severe tribological deformation and extreme material abrasion when processing large batches of matrices with a Mohs hardness of over 6. The IKA MultiDrive MI 400.3 beater is made entirely of tungsten carbide (WC). This intermetallic hard metal compound is characterised by extreme structural density and a hardness reaching values of up to 9.5 on the Mohs scale. This material superiority makes the tool completely immune to plastic deformation caused by abrasive micro-collisions with hard ores, quartzites or slag, even within the extended 400 ml grinding chamber.

Kinetics of extreme impact comminution on a macro scale

Driven at up to 30,000 revolutions per minute by the MultiDrive system, the MI 400.3 transforms rotational energy into massive kinetic impact energy. Thanks to its specific length geometry, calculated for the 400-ml chamber, the tool generates immense circumferential velocities at its outer edges. Due to the extreme hardness and very high specific gravity of tungsten carbide, the mechanical impulse transferred upon impact with the high-volume sample material is significantly more rigid and results in less energy loss than is the case with more elastic steel alloys. The crystal structures of extremely brittle solids are shattered by these radial shock waves in fractions of a millisecond and converted into a very fine powder matrix without creating any fluid-dynamic dead zones.

Analytical purity and iron-free grinding

A key problem in trace element analysis (using ICP-OES or XRF) of large rock or soil samples is contamination caused by abrasion of the grinding tool (carry-over). Grinding hard ores with stainless steel tools inevitably leads to a massive introduction of iron, chromium and nickel ions, which distorts the quantitative elemental analysis of these metals. The use of the MI 400.3 tungsten carbide beater physically eliminates this specific heavy metal contamination entirely. The sample material is only minimally doped with tungsten and carbon, which is metrologically irrelevant for most iron-focused geological or metallurgical trace analyses.

Technical details

• Product type: Hammer for extreme impact crushing (interchangeable tool)
• Material: Tungsten carbide (hard metal)
• Processing principle: Impact and percussion comminution (impact milling)
• Physical scope of application: Extremely hard and brittle matrices (ores, ceramics)
• Hardness of the material: approx. 9 to 9.5 on the Mohs scale
• Analytical advantage: Prevention of iron, chromium and nickel contamination
• Compatibility (vessel): Exclusively suitable for the IKA MultiDrive MI 400 grinding chamber (400 ml)
• Compatibility (drive): IKA MultiDrive basic and MultiDrive control
• Fitting: Tool-free, form-fit attachment to the drive shaft inside the vessel

Contents

• 1 x IKA MultiDrive MI 400.3 beater (tungsten carbide)

(Important note: The MultiDrive drive unit and the MI 400 grinding chamber are not included in the scope of delivery!)

Customised requirements & accessories

The MI 400.3 beater is the ultimate high-end solution for the toughest materials in large batches. To ensure analytical integrity is maintained throughout the iron-free grinding process, it is essential that the grinding chamber used also does not cause any iron contamination. Tungsten carbide is extremely hard, but due to its crystalline structure, it is more susceptible to bending or lever forces than ductile stainless steel. The tool must never be forced into position during tool changes. Please contact our procurement service at any time for the metrologically correct configuration of your high-performance grinding systems.