Brix Refractometers Measure Concentration
Coolant's primary purpose is to lubricate and cool the work surface and tooling.
Each coolant works best for a given application at a recommended concentration of it to water.
 Monitor the initial coolant charge, then each day, as evaporation increases concentration at the sump level. Maintaining the recommended concentration is essential to prevent problems.
- Well-lit Scale (Specialist Only)
- Integrated drip feed(Specialist Only)
- Anti-roll support (Specialist Only)
- Comfortable eyepiece
- Easy to read, bright scale
- Adjustable focus for easy reading
- Textured sleeve for easy gripping
- Includes carrying case
- Locknut for calibration
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Specialist |
Basic |
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| P/N: |
OPT15 |
OPT30 |
OPT10 |
OPT32 |
| Brix Range: |
0-15 |
0-30 |
0-10 |
0-32 |
| Accuracy: |
± 0.1% |
± 0.2% |
± 0.1% |
± 0.2% |
*Check your coolant's technical data sheet to determine where your coolant will read on the Brix Scale. Some have a "Refractometer Factor" which you multiply the scale reading by to obtain the value in percent.
Select a scale that will read your target value, but also higher values, due to evaporation at the sump level.
Determining Coolant Refill Percentage
Let's say you want to maintain a 5% concentration in your sump. You currently measure 8%, and the 50 gallon sump is only half full. This means you have to add another 25 gallons. But if you add 25 gallons at 5%, your entire sump will then have a concentration of 6.5% - not 5. What do you do? The calculations are shown below. Please feel free to give us or one of our many knowledgeable distributors a call if you have any questions.
- What's the real amount of concentrate in your ideal 5% sump? = 2.5 gallons
- How much refill concentrate do you need? = 0.5 gallons
- What is the concentration for the 25 gallons of refill? = 0.5 gal of concentrate ÷ 25 gallons of fluid required = .02, or 2% concentration.
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Problems Related to Concentration
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Low concentrations can lead to poor lubrication, causing broken or prematurely worn tooling, and poor surface finishes. |
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High concentrations can lead to skin irritation, and leaving residues on your parts. |
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Testimonial - Refractometer
Woody is "pleased with the brightness" of his Basic Refractometer he purchased after visiting Zebra at IMTS 2004. Woody Smith, Founder, Smith's Machine, AL, Nov 2004 |
Refractometers Measure Concentration & Oil Emulsion
Concentration is the position of the horizontal line on the brix scale and is shown in the diagram below.
Oil emulsion is signified by the blurriness of that line and is shown in the diagram above. As tramp oils are beaten into the coolant, the line will become blurrier. When the line is so blurry that an actual line is not visible, it is time to change the coolant. |
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