A joint-free sample splitter

Abstract

A sample splitter based on the Jones riffle design has been devised which incorporates certain features not found in other splitters heretofore available. The splitter was folded from one piece of sheet metal and as such has neither cracks or joints to hold up material nor joining metal such as solder to contaminate the sample. It is possible to form the splitter from such materials as plastic and paper or to line metal chutes with these materials. Several sizes of 16-chute splitters have been made in this laboratory; the smallest being made from 0.015 inch thick pure aluminum, each chute opening being ½ inch long and ⅛ inch wide. This is a microsplitter comparable to the Otto microsplitter in size. The largest splitter was made from 1/32 inch thick pure aluminum, each chute opening being 3 inches long and ½ inch wide. An isometric view of a folded 45-degree splitter is shown in Fig. 1. The term “45-degree” refers to the angle between the chute bottom and the horizontal. While 45 degrees is greater than the angle of repose, some hang-up is still experienced and cleaning is required. A 60 degree slope should be much better.