Device for preparing samples of powdered metals for analysis

摘要

A device for the preparation of powdered metal samples for oxygen analysis includes a mold with a central cavity accessible through a tapered throat region on the top of the mold. A tin foil sheet is placed in the tapered throat region and pressed into the cavity and thereby formed into a generally cup shaped configuration. A measured amount of the powdered metal is poured into the cup shaped tin foil within the cavity of the mold. A tweezers is used to fold the tin foil over thereby encapsulating the powdered metal within the foil. The sample is then tamped to form a tightly packed specimen for analysis. The diameter of the cavity corresponds to the diameter of the crucible in the oxygen analyzer to thereby consistently provide an appropriately sized powdered metal sample with a minimum of operator time. The mold is preferably constructed in two pieces with an upper portion removable from a base portion. After the tin foil is folded to encapsulate the powdered metal sample within the cavity of the mold, the upper portion is removed from the base to expose the sample for removal by the operator with the tweezers from the base.