KBr
Potassium Bromide
Optical Transmission
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Spectral Range: 0.25 to 25 µm
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Wave Number Range: 40,000 to 400 cm^-1
Solubility & Handling
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Solubility: 53.48 g / 100g water at 0°C; soluble in glycerine; slightly soluble in alcohol and liquid ammonia.
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Hygroscopic Nature: KBr is significantly more sensitive to moisture than NaCl. Even short exposure to high humidity will cause immediate surface fogging and loss of transmission.
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Handling: KBr is highly sensitive to moisture. Always wear gloves during handling to prevent "fogging" from skin oils/moisture and store in a dry environment (desiccator) when not in use.
Thermal & Mechanical Properties
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Melting Point:730°C
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Thermal Shock Resistance: Moderate. While slightly more forgiving than NaCl, it should still be acclimated slowly to avoid internal stress.
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Mechanical Hardness:
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* 5.9 (Indenter in <110> direction)
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7.0 (Indenter in <100> direction)
Is your KBr window clouded or etched?
Because KBr is so soluble, it "fogs" faster than almost any other lab crystal. Don't replace expensive windows—Koch Crystal can repolish your KBr optics. We ship all restored optics in our custom packaging to ensure they arrive dry and ready for your next scan.