Selfrag Lab

Selfrag Lab is a sample pulverization system using the pulse power of high voltage discharge. In the device, samples are submerged in dielectric liquid (i.e. ion-exchange water), and mineral boundaries are saturated with the liquid. A high voltage (90-200 kV) is applied between the electrodes in the liquid, which causes electric discharges. The liquid transmits electric currents along the boundaries. At that time, the currents cause strong tensile stresses within the samples. Therefore, the samples are crushed along the material boundaries (selective fragmentation). The Selfrag Lab device provides good opportunities to separate samples into individual constituents with retaining original morphology and mineral surface.