Light Metal Rotors for the Molecular Ultracentrifuge

Abstract

Tests have been made of the range of usefulness of light metal rotors in the ultracentrifuge for molecular sedimentation. These experiments prove that duralumin 14 ST is definitely superior to the other alloys tested. They also indicate a shape of seven-inch diameter rotor which if made of 14 ST can safely be used for centrifuging at speeds up to 900 r.p.s. (field at center of cell = 215,000 times gravity). For much more intense fields special steels must be used or the rotor diameter reduced.