Think Particle Size, Choose Mastersizer

At Malvern Panalytical, we are immensely proud of our laser diffraction particle size analyzer, the Mastersizer. Every day, we engage with scientists, researchers, and quality control professionals who tell us how the Mastersizer has revolutionized the way they acquire particle size data to efficiently control processes and create exceptional products.  

One fundamental reason for the Mastersizer’s global success is its proven ability to deliver reliable and robust particle size data – time after time – whatever the application. And with the introduction of the newest generation, the Mastersizer 3000+ and its added intelligence, it has never been easier to generate the best quality data. But there are many more things that set the Mastersizer 3000+ apart… 

Robust, reliable particle sizing 

Let’s start with particle size range. A wide measurement range is important for many industries and applications because it gives users confidence that all particles within their samples are being analysed.  The Mastersizer 3000+ can measure particle sizes from 10 nm up to several millimetres with a single optical setup without any time-consuming configuration. And as the Mastersizer 3000+ relies solely on laser diffraction to measure particle size, it is fully compliant with key standards such as ISO 13320 across this broad size range. 

When you factor in its superior accuracy in sub-micron measurements, excellent measurement reproducibility and unrivalled resolution for multimodal size distributions, it is clear to see why the Mastersizer 3000+ is the go-to-system for many different industrial settings for a diverse selection of materials and applications. 

Easy to use, expertise built-in

Another key criterion is ‘ease of use’ since many customers want or need good quality data quickly, with minimal operator input. And you don’t need to be a particle sizing expert to achieve excellent quality results with the Mastersizer 3000+. Everyone can feel empowered to perform measurements and be confident in the results they generate. 

The Mastersizer 3000+ and its Mastersizer Xplorer software is an extremely intuitive and easy to operate system. There is no need for users to calibrate or manually align their system themselves – the Mastersizer 3000+ does this for you to ensure robust and repeatable operation.  

The Measurement Manager window allows for direct, real-time observation of data trends, while the Data Quality Guidance tool immediately alerts you to any data quality issues and guides you back on track with intelligent solutions.   

Method development on the Mastersizer 3000+ is also fast, simple, and efficient. Tools like SOP Architect, which provides expert guidance in developing methods for your samples, and the unique optical property optimizer, which helps select the most suitable optical properties for your materials, make method development a highly precise task. 

And the Mastersizer 3000+ integrates automation throughout – from automated dispersion solutions to automated SOPs. We even have an autosampler for wet samples, the Mastersizer Auto-Lab. 

Flexibility for all sample types 

Flexibility is also very important, as samples come in a range of forms from wet suspensions or slurries to dry powders, each with different behaviours. And often requiring different sample volumes. 

The Mastersizer 3000+ provides users with incredible flexibility in terms of the samples they can measure. From delicate pharmaceuticals and food additives to battery slurries, drilling muds and building materials, the Mastersizer 3000+ caters to all applications – wet or dry.  

Wet dispersion is achieved with a range of accessories handling a wide variety of dispersants and range of volumes – 6 mL to 600 mL to be precise. The Hydro EV, MV and LV use centrifugal pump stirring to ensure bias free sampling and in line sonication probes achieve rapid agglomerate dispersion. These actions are accurately controlled through the Mastersizer Xplorer software and in the case of the MV and LV, dispersant supplies can be automated too.  

Dry dispersion is achieved with the Aero accessories. Theses accessories use an advanced dispersion system with a modular design that ensures the rapid and reproducible dispersion of the widest possible range of samples, from cohesive powders to fragile materials. 

And many users need to characterise a variety of samples, and the Mastersizer 3000+ makes switching between accessories a quick, easy and convenient process.  

A new way of doing things

In real-world application, outside influences can make your laser diffraction measurements more difficult. Contaminants, bubbles, and dust can all interfere and contribute to the measured scattering signal, resulting in misleading particle size distributions.  

Adaptive Diffraction, Malvern Panalytical’s patent-pending digital technology based on machine learning, mitigates these outside influences to enable more reproducible results. Made possible by the Mastersizer 3000+’s lightning-fast acquisition rate of 10kHz, this application provides a new way of presenting your data. It displays data from outside influences separately from the steady-state sample data.  

The Size Sure measurement mode in Mastersizer Xplorer uses Adaptive Diffracton to store sub-run measurement data and then applies machine-learning classification of the data as either ‘steady state’ or ‘transient state’. The steady state is a reliable description of your sample, where as the transient state also reveals any temporary – particles or otherwise. 

By using Size Sure in your analyses, you can characterize your samples quickly and reliably. You get a clear view of steady-state sample results vs transient events, which reduces the time you spend troubleshooting misleading results. Size Sure is another way in which the Mastersizer 3000+ allows you to make better-informed decisions.  

A window into deeper materials analysis 

But why limit yourself to size data, when quantitative particle shape data can provide an even deeper understanding of why your materials behave the way they do? Using the Hydro Insight dynamic imaging accessory with the Mastersizer 3000+ means users do not miss a thing – giving you a real time view of your samples in dispersion, plus particle images and particle shape data to review later. 

High speed, high resolution dynamic imaging technology, plus the ability to optimise measurement settings ahead of image capture ensures users achieve the best quality particle images with the Hydro Insight. 

The Hydro Insight provides data on 32 different shape parameters and enables unparalleled flexibility in how this data can be viewed. Histograms can be viewed with different weightings depending on what you are interested in, such as fines or agglomerates, even in low concentrations. There is also extensive functionality for classifying data to quantify different particle types and plotting correlation plots to understand how different parameters relate to each other.   

Installation made easy

Introducing a new analytical instrument or technique into your laboratory or workflow can seem daunting, but we have worked hard to make this a stress-free process with the Mastersizer 3000+. In fact, the installation process is so easy you don’t need to wait for an engineer to do it. As part of the Smart Install package, your new Mastersizer 3000+ can be up and running within 90 minutes of delivery.  

And you don’t need to worry about size limitations, as the Mastersizer 3000+ is compact. No need to compromise performance and settle for a lower-specification system to preserve bench space.  

On-going support

Malvern Panalytical is a company full of detail-loving geeks who have their finger on the pulse of the industries and technology areas where our customers work. Our specialist teams have in-depth knowledge of particle sizing and can support your applications including method transfer from other technologies and instruments onto the Mastersizer 3000+.  

Technical support is delivered both in person and online, through our internal helpdesk and local offices. We have invested significantly in our online resources, and anyone can access training and educational materials at their convenience.  

And by connecting your Mastersizer 3000+ to our Smart Manager portal, you can unleash its full potential. Smart Manager enables us to analyze telemetry data from the instrument and help you optimize use and reduce downtime. 

Want to hear more? 

If you’re interested in finding out more, reach out to one of our representatives for a demo or visit malvernpanalytical.com.