What Are The Different Types Of Stirrers

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Not all applications require a digital hot plate stirrer. Laboratories use different types of stirrers according to their requirements. Each stirrer comes with its own unique features and qualities.

 

Following are the types of digital hot plate stirrers and their applications.

 

  • Magnetic stirrers 
  • Stirrer hotplates 
  • Overhead stirrers 
  • Specialty Stirrers

 

1> Magnetic Stirrers

 

In this type of stirrer, a rotating magnetic field is used to spin and stir a stirrer bar. The bar is immersed in the liquid. You can use this type of stirrer for small volumes and low viscosity. You can also find a model developed for high viscosity and large volumes. Stainless steel and ceramic are the materials commonly used to make magnetic stirrers plates. 

  • Stainless Steel Plates 

 

Aluminum plates produce eddy currents. Top plates made from stainless steel don’t produce eddy currents. As a result, stainless steel plates provide you with powerful coupling and stirring. 

  • Ceramic Hotplates 

 

Top plates made from ceramic provide you with excellent chemical resistance. Therefore, if you need to work with a corrosive material, use ceramic hotplates. You don’t have to worry about splashes. The white surface also comes with an advantage. It is suitable for applications where you essentially need clear color visibility. Titration is one such example. 

 

2> Stirrer Hotplates 

 

As the name implies, a hot plate stirrer comes with a hot plate. You can use either on its own. Or, you can also combine them. Depending on the application, you can use hotplates made from different materials.  

  • Ceramic

 

If you are looking for an option that offers chemical resistance, go for ceramic top plates. Ceramic plates are suitable to work with corrosive chemicals. Splashes of corrosive chemicals can cause damage to the plate. However, you don’t have to worry when you are using ceramic. These plates provide you up to around 450°C of temperature. You can easily wipe clean your ceramic plate. A ceramic plate is the best for titration and other applications that require clear color visibility. The cool edges of a ceramic plate provide operator safety. However, if you need to heat the plate surface, a ceramic plate may not be suitable.    

 

Use this plate to heat glassware. Don’t use this type of plate to heat liquids in metal containers. A ceramic plate is also unsuitable for sand baths. You need to protect your ceramic plate from accidental knocks.  

  • Aluminum

 

You don’t have to worry about accidental knocks when you use aluminum top plates. Aluminum provides you with a robust option. You get a consistent temperature. You can use an aluminum top hotplate to heat a metal vessel. In case you need to work with a stainless steel container or a container made of metals, an aluminum hotplate is the best option. 

 

3> Overhead Stirrer

 

If you need a stirrer that is more robust than the magnetic one, opt for an overhead stirrer. An overhead stirrer is made up of stands, paddles, rods and stirrer. This type of stirrer is suitable for viscous solutions and large volumes. You can create different stirring motions using different types of paddles. This makes overhead stirrers suitable for a variety of applications. 

You can use the paddle for low to medium speed, centrifugal for medium to high speed, the turbine for medium to high speeds, dissolver for medium to high speed, a propeller for medium to high speeds anchor for low speeds. 

4> Specialty Stirrers

  • Biological Stirrers

 

Applications like cell cultures require germ and dust free, heat free, gentle stirring. These stirrers are used to stir biological samples. 

  • Submersible Stirrers

 

You can use these sealed stirrers with a wide temperature range. These are sealed stirrers. You can submerge them in oil or water.

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