Hair is dissolved in certain acids and then analyzed via gas chromatography or the mass spectrometer. The dissolving in the acid is accelerated and improved through the enhancement of the specific surface area of the sample. Here the FRITSCH Mini-Mill PULVERISETTE 23 is used.
In a 15 ml steel bowl, 300 - 500 mg hair is weighed in. As a grinding body a 15 mm steel ball is used. After a grinding duration of 5 minutes a fine powder is attained (< 100 µm), which can be used for the following analysis.
For larger amounts or for the grinding of two samples simultaneously, the FRITSCH Planetary Micro Mill PULVERISETTE 7 classic line can be used. In a 45 ml grinding bowl made of zirconium oxide or sintered corundum, silicon nitride approximately 0.1-1 g of hair is weighed in and 7 x 15 mm grinding balls are added. The grinding time is 5 - 20 minutes. Afterwards a fine powder is obtained (< 100 µm), which can be used for additional analysis.