Ammonium Iodide Tablets
Average Weight: 21.4mg
Maximum Variation: ±5%
Composition: 66.6% ammonium iodide, 33.4% starch
Bottle: 1500 tablets

An iodide or bromide may be used to increase the surface tension of a lithium borate melt. This facilitate the release of the fluid melt from the crucible, ensuring less hang-up of melt, and making cleaning easier. The solidified bead releases more freely from the mould (fewer repeats, less mould scratching). Beads are formed with neutral or positive meniscus, reducing the likehood of bead fracture, and reducing sharp edges. Bead curvature, a significant contributor to reading error is reduced.

Use the ammonium iodide pills increases the useable life of platinum ware giving a very clean pour, reduces the frequency of remaking and eliminates to a large extent the need for cleaning the crucibles between uses.

The ISO standard 9516 recommends:
7.1.4 If desired, ammonium iodide may be used as a release agent. If it is used, add no more than 0.03g, prior to fusion.

Iodides are preferable to bromides, since BrLα interferes with AlKα