Refractometer Buyer’s Guide
Understanding Refractometers
Selecting the Right Refractometer
Refractometers are precise optical instruments that determine
the purity of liquids, gels and solids by measuring their refractive
index (RI). The refractive index is the speed of light in the
substance as compared with the speed of light in a vacuum.
Refractive index measurements are unique, constant, physical
characteristics specific to substances.
Refractometers provide RI and % Brix measurements (and
other standard scales) for a broad range of industries including
agricultural, flavors, fragrance, chemical, petrochemical,
industrial fluids, pharmaceutical, automotive, and aviation. A
common use is in the food and beverage industry to calculate
the concentration of dissolved solids in solution or the % Brix.
Reichert refractometers are built with the highest level of
attention and precision to accurately measure the Refractive
Index and concentration of liquids, gels and solids. They are
accurate, reliable, and durable, offering outstanding value and
optimum performance. From traditional transmission units like
the Abbe Mark III, to the automatic digital r2i300, to the top of
the line AR9, Reichert has the right instrument solution.
Identify answers to the following 6 questions, and then simply
pick the appropriate Reichert refractometer from the chart on
the back.
Which Refractometer is Right for Your Lab?
With this overview, Reichert makes it easy to determine
which refractometer suits your needs. Determine the specific
requirements of your applications within your industry and
within your budget and then select the appropriate instrument.
1 Measurement Range and Accuracy
What level of accuracy is required? The first step in matching
the appropriate instrument is to know the range and
accuracy demands of the application. The range is in terms
of either Refractive Index or % Brix based on the types of
samples to measure. The accuracy requirement is established
by the specifications for your product and the criticality of
the concentration measurement. In other words, what is the
highest and lowest reading value you expect to encounter?
And what is the level of accuracy?
Range and Control
2 IsTemperature
control of the temperature of the sample critical for the
application? Refractive Index varies with temperature so it
is important to consider the temperature control range of
a refractometer. Some samples require measurements at
elevated temperatures to match production conditions. But
if temperature requirements are less stringent, a lower cost
model may be appropriate.
Sample Type
3 What
type of sample is being measured? Is the sample a
liquid? If so, is the liquid sample transparent, translucent, or
opaque? Is the sample a solid? Select the sample gradient
that best matches your sample:
Sample Type Gradient Model
Gradient I - Transparent: water, solvents, alcohol, beverages
Reichert refractometers : r2i300, AR5, Mark III, AR7, AR9
Gradient II - Translucent: fruit juice, corn syrup, antifreeze
Reichert refractometers: r2i300, AR5, Mark III, AR7, AR9
Gradient III - Opaque: vegetable juice, tomato paste, coffee
Reichert refractometers: r2i300, AR5, AR7, AR9
Gradient IV - Solid Samples: film, plastics, glass
Reichert refractometer: Mark III
Measuring Manually or Automatically
4 Refractometer,
Do you prefer a manual or automatic instrument?
Transmission style (manual) is where a sample is placed
between the measurement prism and the operator aligns
the shadowline to the cross hair target by turning a control
knob. Reflection style (automatic) is where the operator
places the sample and pushes a Read/Measure button.
Manual refractometers are often preferred in educational
locations and both styles are used in research.
Material Makes a Big Difference
5 Prism
Which kind of prism? Reichert offers three different optical
prisms. Glass prisms are the most economical but have
limited durability. Sapphire prisms are more durable and
four times harder than glass. Sapphire prisms are ideally
suited for demanding applications and less likely to be
damaged. The hardest prism is the YAG (Yttrium Aluminum
Garnet) prism with an exceptional refractive index range.
6 Software
Is start-up time a factor? When selecting a refractometer,
ensure the software features meet your needs. Reichert
refractometers offer an intuitive, simple interface for quick
and accurate measurements. The software is flexible
providing custom scales and methods, and is compliant
with 21CFR Part11.
Reichert Refractometers
AR9
AR5
AR7
r2i300
Abbe Mark III
Measuring Scales
RI, % Brix, and 1,000 user defined
RI, % Brix, or 1 user defined
RI, % Brix, and 14 user defined
RI, % Brix, and 7 user defined
RI, % Brix, and 14 user defined
Measuring Range
1.32000 to 1.70000 RI
0.00 to 100.00 % Brix
1.3200 to 1.5800 RI
0.0 to 100.0 % Brix
1.33000 to 1.60000 RI
0.00 to 95.00 % Brix
1.3330 to 1.5600 RI
0.0 to 95.0 % Brix
1.3106 to 1.7000 RI
0.0 to 95.0 % Brix
Accuracy
0.00002 RI
0.02 % Brix
0.0001 RI
0.05 % Brix
0.00005 RI
0.03 % Brix
0.0001 RI
0.1 % Brix
0.0001 RI
0.1% Brix
Measurement Mode
Measurement Method
Automatic Temperature
Compensation
Continuous
Continuous
Single
Single
Single
Automatic
Automatic
Automatic
Automatic
+5 to +100 C
+5 to +50 C
+10 to +45 C
+15 to +40 C
+100 to +400C
Temperature Control
Method
Peltier +50 to +1000C
Peltier +200 or +250C
Peltier +100 to +1000C
None/Ambient
optional H2O bath +100 to +800C
Prism
Light Source
YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet)
Sapphire
Sapphire
Sapphire
Glass
Lifetime LED, 589nm filter
Lifetime LED, 589nm filter
Lifetime LED, 589nm filter
Lifetime LED, 589nm filter
Lifetime LED
Display
Universal Display 7”
color touchscreen
Compact LCD display
LCD Display
Color touchscreen
LCD Display
Sample Type
liquid/gel/paste
Transparent
Translucent
Opaque
liquid/gel/paste
Transparent
Translucent
Opaque
liquid/gel/paste
Transparent
Translucent
Opaque
liquid/gel/paste
Transparent
Translucent
Opaque
liquid/gel/solid
Transparent
Translucent
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Reichert Refractometers represent
more than 150 years of innovative
development and manufacturing
expertise.
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Corporate Office
Reichert Technologies
3362 Walden Avenue, Suite 100
Buffalo, New York 14043
USA
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Customer Service and
Technical Support
Toll Free (USA): 1-888-849-8955
Phone: 1-716-686-4500
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Manual
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European Service Center
AMETEK GmbH
Reichert Business Unit
Carl-von-Linde-Strasse 42
85716 Unterschleissheim / Munich, Germany
Tel: +49 (89) 315 89110 Fax: +49 (89) 315 891 99
www.Reichertai.com