Digital Abbe refractometer

Introduction

Digital Abbe Refractometer is a high-precision optical analytical instrument based on the principle of total reflection. It measures refractive index (nD), mean dispersion and Brix value of transparent and translucent liquid or solid samples. Different from traditional visual Abbe refractometers, it adopts photoelectric sensing and digital LCD display to eliminate manual reading error. Equipped with 589nm LED sodium light source, it serves as essential quality control equipment for laboratories of chemical, coatings, inks, resin and plastic industries.

Working Principle

Based on Snell’s law and total internal reflection, the instrument uses 589nm sodium D-line as standard light source. The sample is placed on a high-refractive-index prism. Light generates critical total reflection at the interface between sample and prism. The sensor captures the light-dark boundary and automatically calculates the refractive index. The refractive index acts as an “optical fingerprint” of material, used for material identification, purity verification and concentration calculation.

Key Features

1. Direct digital reading: LCD screen displays refractive index, sample temperature and Brix automatically, avoiding human reading error.
2. Wide measuring range: Refractive index nD: 1.3000 ~ 1.7000; Brix: 0 ~ 95%.
3. High precision: Refractive index accuracy ±0.0002, resolution 0.0001.
4. Micro sample requirement: Only a tiny amount of sample, ideal for expensive resin and additives.
5. Data export: RS232 / USB interface, supports data storage, export and report printing for lab documentation.
6. Hardened optical glass measuring prism and long-lifespan LED monochromatic light source.

Applications

✅ Coating & Ink Industry: Test refractive index of resin raw materials, solvents and prepolymers; verify raw material purity and batch consistency; build refractive index-solid content standard curve and monitor polymerization reaction.

✅ Polymers & Plastics: Identify plastic pellets, films and optical resin, check monomer purity.

✅ Chemicals & Adhesives: Incoming inspection for epoxy, polyester, PU resin and adhesives.

✅ Petroleum, pharmacy, food sugar industry, university material research labs.

Suitable Samples

Transparent & translucent liquids, viscous resins, solid thin sheets (plastic films, transparent plates)