Simplified apparatus and procedure for freezing-point determinations upon small volumes of fluid

Abstract

For purposes of determining the freezing-point of small volumes of aqueous solutions the difficulties of undercooling are avoided by first freezing the sample and then determining the thawing-point. Apparatus and procedure specially designed for simplicity of construction and operation are described. The method works best with volumes of the order of 10-3 to 10-4 mm3 and its accuracy in terms of standard deviation is ±0.003° C for freezing-point depressions of the order of 1 to 2° C.