COOLANT REFRACTOMETER 0-32 BRIX

The Refractometer is a simple, easy-to-use, handheld device for determining the concentration of water-soluble machine tool coolant. Simply place a few drops of coolant on the refractometer’s prism, and secure the cover plate. Then, point the prism at a light source, focus the eyepiece, and read the scale. The clear color separation on the scale indicates the concentration level of the coolant. 

This refractometer measures on the Brix scale (0-32%), rather than measuring the actual concentration of the coolant. To determine the actual concentration, multiply the refractometer reading by the coolant’s refractive index. This can vary by coolant brand and type, so be sure to refer to the coolant’s product data sheet.

A coolant concentration that is too high (rich) not only wastes coolant concentrate, but also leaves a sticky, oily residue on parts, cutting tools, and inside the machine. A coolant concentration that is too low (lean) can reduce your tool life, cause corrosion on your parts and inside the machine, and may lead to bacterial growth in your coolant tank.

Because refraction readings are affected by temperature changes, many refractometers must be calibrated before every use. This coolant refractometer features automatic temperature correction (ATC), which automatically adjusts for temperature changes, eliminating the need for constant calibration. For initial calibration (or to verify calibration at any time), make sure the prism is clean, and place a few drops of distilled or tap water on the lens. When correctly calibrated, the separation line will be on zero. If it is not, turn the adjustment screw to align the separation line until it is at zero.