
Magnetic stirring is used in a number of common
laboratory procedures, yet the importance of selecting the best stirring bar
for each particular application is often overlooked. The drive magnet, vessel
shape, viscosity and abrasiveness of the materials should all be considered
when choosing the size, shape and materials (coating and magnet) of the magnetic
stirring bar in order to achieve effective, efficient stirring results.
When a magnetic stirring bar has been placed in a container with solution, it
should be positioned directly over the centre of the drive magnet. The stirring
speed should be increased slowly, until the desired vortex pattern is achieved.
Should the magnetic stirring bar lose its coupling with the drive magnet
because of the speed of the drive magnet, viscosity of the fluid, or an improperly
selected stirring bar length, it is said to have “spun-out”.
Vertical distance between the drive magnet and the stirring bar should be kept to
a minimum for the best coupling and stirring efficiency. Therefore, the
containing vessel should be as thin as practical.
The selection of the shape of the magnetic stirring bar also influences the
resulting vortex in that multi-sided shapes may be more efficient in moving
solutions and certain shapes have been designed to provide a tailored fit in
specialty vessels such as test tubes, cuvettes and spectrophotometer cells.
Magnetic stirring bars are generally made of ALNICO (an alloy of aluminum,
nickel, iron and cobalt) magnets encapsulated in an FDA approved PTFE coating. In
addition, magnetic stirring bars also use high energy magnetic materials, such
as Samarium Cobalt which increases strength of coupling with a drive magnet and
helps to reduce spinout when mixing viscous solutions or mixing at high speeds.
Guide for
choosing Spinbar® Magnetic Stirring Bar
Applications |
General Stirring Applications |
High Temperature Stirring |
Viscous Solutions High Speed Stirring |
Brand
/ Type |
Spinbar® Teflon PTFE |
Spinbar® Pyrex Glass |
Spinbar® Rare Earth Samarium Cobalt |
Magnetic
Type |
Alnico |
Alnico |
Samarium Cobalt |
Covering |
Teflon® PTFE |
Clear Pyrex® Glass |
Teflon® PTFE |
Features
/ Benefits |
Wide selection of shapes and sizes to fit vessels of all types;
Individual shapes create different vortexes for efficient and effective
stirring |
Heated stirring applications up to 274oC (525oF) |
Reliable Magnetic Coupling – Superior magnetic energy reduces frequency
of spinout in the most vigorous applications |
FDA Grade, USP Class VI Teflon® brand PTFE coating – Superior Chemical
Compatibility |
Glass casing has zero absorption and porosity |
FDA Grade, USP Class VI Teflon® brand PTFE coating – Superior Chemical
Compatibility |
|
Color Selection for color-coding work processes |
|
Distinct Color – Green color lets you quickly identify Spinbar® Rare
Earth Samarium Cobalt |
All Spinbar® and other Teflon® PTFE Coated Magnetic Stirring Bars are manufactured in a registered ISO9001:2015 facility, as verified by SGS Certification.
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