Xuxin Instrument ST-1510 Automatic Interfacial Tensiometer

Overview

The Xuxin Instrument ST-1510 Automatic Interfacial Tensiometer is a precision laboratory instrument engineered for the quantitative determination of surface tension at liquid–gas interfaces and interfacial tension at liquid–liquid interfaces—particularly between hydrocarbon-based oils and aqueous phases. It operates on the classical Du Noüy ring method, a gravimetric technique standardized under GB/T 6541 and widely referenced in international petroleum, power generation, and industrial lubricant testing protocols. In this method, a platinum–iridium ring is immersed in and then slowly withdrawn from the test liquid; the maximum force required to detach the ring from the interface is measured and converted into interfacial tension using calibrated geometric and correction factors. The ST-1510 integrates high-stability load sensing, real-time temperature monitoring, and automated mechanical control to ensure measurement consistency across varying environmental conditions. Designed for routine QC/QA labs, it delivers traceable, reproducible results without manual intervention—making it suitable for compliance-driven environments including ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories.

Key Features

• Full-color capacitive touchscreen interface with intuitive navigation and dual-language support (English/Chinese)
• Automated ring immersion, lifting, and detachment cycle with programmable speed profiles
• Built-in calibration function based on multi-point linear regression (mg = f(ΔF)) using certified standard weights
• Onboard implementation of GB/T 6541 calculation algorithms—including Harkins–Jordan correction factor application and automatic density compensation
• Integrated thermal sensor with ±0.1 °C resolution for ambient temperature monitoring during measurement
• Internal data storage capacity for up to 500 test records with timestamp, operator ID, and metadata tagging
• RS232 serial interface compliant with standard SCPI command sets for external system integration
• Optional thermal printer module supporting direct report output with configurable headers and units
• Low-power architecture (<20 W) enabling stable operation in shared lab power circuits

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ST-1510 is validated for use with Newtonian and mildly non-Newtonian liquids exhibiting low to moderate viscosity (up to ~500 mPa·s). Typical applications include insulating oils (e.g., transformer oil per IEC 60156), crude oil fractions, surfactant solutions, pharmaceutical emulsions, and food-grade edible oils. Its measurement range (2–200 mN/m) covers both ultra-low interfacial tensions encountered in enhanced oil recovery formulations and high-tension systems such as pure water–air interfaces. The instrument conforms to GB/T 6541 and aligns with technical principles outlined in ASTM D971 and ISO 6295. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11-compliant, its data export functionality supports audit-trail reconstruction when paired with validated LIMS or ELN platforms. All firmware and calibration routines are documented per GLP requirements.

Software & Data Management

The ST-1510 operates autonomously via embedded firmware with no external PC dependency. All measurements are processed in real time using fixed-point arithmetic to eliminate floating-point drift. Raw force values, corrected interfacial tension, temperature readings, and pass/fail status per GB/T 6541 criteria are stored internally with full traceability. Data export is supported via RS232 to host systems using ASCII-delimited text format (CSV-compatible), enabling seamless ingestion into statistical process control (SPC) software or laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Calibration logs, user access timestamps, and maintenance events are retained separately and accessible through administrator mode. Firmware updates are performed via USB memory stick with cryptographic signature verification to ensure integrity.

Applications

• Quality control of transformer oils and turbine lubricants in power utilities and OEM service labs
• Surfactant efficacy evaluation in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) research and formulation development
• Stability assessment of oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions in food and cosmetic manufacturing
• Batch release testing of pharmaceutical excipients and parenteral formulations per USP <721>
• Educational demonstration of interfacial phenomena in physical chemistry and colloid science curricula
• Environmental monitoring of hydrophobic contaminant partitioning at water–soil interfaces

FAQ

What standards does the ST-1510 comply with?

It fully implements GB/T 6541 and follows the physical principles of ASTM D971 and ISO 6295 for interfacial tension measurement using the Du Noüy ring method.
Is the instrument suitable for measuring ultra-low interfacial tension (<1 mN/m)?

No—the ST-1510 is optimized for the 2–200 mN/m range; sub-mN/m measurements require Wilhelmy plate or pendant drop instrumentation.
Can the device be integrated into a networked laboratory environment?

Yes—via RS232 serial communication with optional TCP/IP gateway adapters for SCADA or MES integration.
Does the ST-1510 support automated temperature control?

No—it monitors ambient temperature but lacks Peltier or bath-coupled thermal regulation; users must maintain stable lab conditions per GB/T 6541 requirements.
Is metrological certification available?

Yes—traceable calibration certificates issued by CNAS-accredited institutes (e.g., NIM) are available upon request and subject to additional fee and lead time.