Last Updated: August 20, 2024
Curious about using Lab Armor Beads? While they can be used in third-party water baths, not all non-Lab Armor baths are compatible. Explore our comprehensive guide to learn about compatibility and best practices to avoid issues and ensure optimal performance in your lab.
Lab Armor Beads are tiny, metallic beads designed to provide superior temperature uniformity and heat retention compared to water. They eliminate the risk of contamination, reduce evaporation, simplify bath maintenance, and enhance the efficiency and safety of temperature-sensitive applications.
However, not all water baths are designed to be compatible with Lab Armor Beads, and this can lead to potential issues for users. Older models or specific designs may need help to achieve the necessary thermal performance, resulting in uneven heating, longer stabilization times, or even temperature fluctuations.
This article will cover the types of water baths that cannot be used with Lab Armor Beads and the essential steps when using tub-style or metal plate-style bottoms. It will also feature the compatible water baths available at The Lab Depot.
When converting a third-party water bath into a bead bath using Lab Armor Beads, it must heat to the desired set temperature and maintain a consistent and stable temperature throughout. Achieving these is challenging if you have the following baths in your lab:
Lab Armor Beads cannot be used with a shaking water bath because the beads are designed to remain stationary while providing consistent thermal contact with the immersed objects. In a shaking bath, the continuous mechanical motion disrupts the even distribution of the beads, which can cause uneven heat distribution and potentially damage the bath or the samples.
Mechanical water pumps are incompatible with Lab Armor Beads because the beads can obstruct the pump's regular operation. Additionally, the circulation process relies on the free movement of liquid to evenly distribute heat throughout the bath.
The beads, by design, are static and create resistance to fluid flow, which disrupts the circulation and leads to uneven temperature distribution. This interference can cause inconsistent heating, reduce the efficiency of the bath, and potentially damage both the circulating water bath and the beads.
Float switches are designed to detect the water level and control the heating element accordingly. When Lab Armor Beads are added, they can cause the float switch to malfunction by either jamming it in place or triggering false readings. This disruption can lead to inaccurate temperature control, potential overheating, or even damage to the water bath's heating system.
Shallow water baths with less than 5 inches (13 cm) in depth do not provide sufficient space for the beads to create a uniform thermal environment. The limited depth restricts the amount of beads that can be added, compromising their ability to surround and evenly distribute heat around the samples.
The heating element's location and proximity to the thermostat are often too great, causing the element and beads to overheat. The bath's over-temperature control unit may shut off, or sometimes, the bath will continuously cycle between temperatures above and below the set point.
Before Lab Armor Beads can be used with compatible third-party water baths, proper steps should be taken. Follow the instructions below based on the type of water bath you use.
The following are products provided by The Lab Depot that are compatible with Lab Armor Beads.
The Thermo Scientific Precision™ Water Bath Series are ideal for general purpose applications and are compatible with Lab Armor Beads. They come in capacities ranging from 2 L to 28 L and can reach temperatures up to 90℃ for model GP 02 and 100℃ for all other Precision™ models.
The General Purpose Digital Water Baths from PolyScience combine convenience, durability, and safety into a single unit at a reasonable price. Their capacity ranges from 2 L to 20 L and are compatible with Lab Amor Beads up to 40℃.
Consult your product manual to see if Lab Armor Beads will suffice for your application and water bath. Failure to follow proper protocols may damage your water bath unit.
This guide will help you get the most out of using Lab Armor Beads with a non-Lab Armor water bath. To begin, explore the selection of bead baths available at TLD, designed to optimize your lab's efficiency and performance. For any questions you may have, contact our helpful sales team at 1-800-733-2522, [email protected], or message us via Live Chat, available on our website.
Sources:
https://www.labarmor.com/post/want-to-know-how-to-get-started-using-all-things-lab-armor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFNMFbvhfmc&t=3s
https://www.labarmor.com/_files/ugd/7b2441_2781af22b73842e0b01cdb608c9166dc.pdf
https://www.labarmor.com/_files/ugd/7b2441_a2d7e91891ff4435840cd1704cde3965.pdf
https://assets.fishersci.com/TFS-Assets/LSG/manuals/LabArmorBeads_man.pdf
https://www.e-lspi.com/lab-armor-beads-2-4-8-liter
https://www.coleparmer.com/blog/bath-and-circulators-in-a-laboratory/
