Avoid Common Cryogenic Grinding Mistakes That Reduce Sample Quality with CryoMill

Cryogenic grinding is a technique by which elastic and thermally sensitive materials are subjected to extremely low temperatures using liquid nitrogen to make them brittle. The process uses a specially designed laboratory ball mill called 'CryoMill', which has an integrated cooling system that continuously cools the grinding jar before and during the process using liquid nitrogen. This makes the materials brittle, while preserving the volatile components. 

An autofill system continuously supplies the required amount of liquid nitrogen to maintain the temperature at -196 °C. This ensures operational safety by preventing the user from getting into direct contact with liquid nitrogen.

The CryoMill’s ability to operate at cryogenic temperatures, as well as for dry and wet grinding at room temperature, makes it suitable for sample quantities up to 20 mL. The system also has high efficiency.

CryoMill - Introduction video. Video Credit: Retsch GmbH

Unmatched Performance for Cryogenic Ball Milling

• Horizontal oscillation generates strong impact effects for effective sample processing
• Maximum speed of 30 Hz
• Up to 8 mm feed size and 5 µm final fineness
• Jars are continuously cooled with liquid nitrogen during processing: safe handling is ensured, thanks to the autofill tank
• One grinding station for jars of minimum 5 mL and maximum 50 mL: an adapter is available for six 2 mL tubes
• Storable standard operating procedures and cycle programs, a compact benchtop model, four different jar materials for wet and dry grinding

Image Credit: Retsch GmbH

Versatile and Safe

• Three different grinding modes (cryogenic, wet, and dry at ambient temperature)
• Powerful cryogenic grinding by impact and friction up to 30 Hz
• Closed liquid nitrogen system (autofill) for enhanced user safety
• Range of accessories including various jar and ball sizes, liquid nitrogen feeding system, and adapter racks
• Screwtop jars ensure seamless, leak-proof operation
• Nine programmable cooling and grinding cycles (10 seconds to 99 minutes)
• Optional zirconium oxide jars specifically designed for cryogenic grinding

Delivering User Safety and Optimal Results

The CryoMill is specifically developed to ensure user safety. By allowing the liquid nitrogen to flow through a closed system, the technique prevents the user from coming into direct contact with liquid nitrogen, thereby ensuring a high degree of operational safety.

It also produces consistent, reliable grinding results using a lower quantity of liquid nitrogen, as the automatic cooling system ensures that the grinding process starts only after the sample has cooled completely.

The system is very easy to operate. A structured keypad allows the user to digitally control parameters such as pre-cooling time, grinding time, and oscillation frequency. The current state of operation, i.e., grinding or cooling, is indicated by the LEDs in the display.

Grinding typically takes only a few minutes, ensuring the sample remains cool throughout the process. However, if the procedure requires longer grinding periods, it is possible to pre-select the number of cryogenic cycles and periods of intermediate cooling.

During standby operation, all instrument parameters are preserved for seamless continuation of subsequent processes. The laboratory mill can also be operated without cooling, making it ideal for various applications.

CryoMill - Application video. Video Credit: Retsch GmbH