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Bead test
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<p>The bead test is a traditional part of <a href="/facts/Qualitative_inorganic_analysis/KnrhhYj6">qualitative inorganic analysis</a> to test for the presence of certain metals. The oldest one is the borax bead test or blister test. It was introduced by <a href="/facts/Berzelius/HakSv3sP">Berzelius</a> in 1812. Since then other salts were used as <a href="/facts/Fluxing_agents/ruKFTPGD">fluxing agents</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Sodium_carbonate/P6RHvIoK">sodium carbonate</a> or <a href="/facts/Sodium_fluoride/HHcvwK7s">sodium fluoride</a>. The most important one after borax is <a href="/facts/Microcosmic_salt/mtQ6rDm1">microcosmic salt</a>, which is the basis of the microcosmic salt bead test. </p>