Mettler Toledo MS205DU Dual-Range Semi-Micro Balance – Used & Refurbished
The Mettler Toledo MS205DU Dual-Range Semi-Micro Balance combines 10 µg readability through an 82 g fine range with 0.1 mg readability through its full 220 g weighing range, giving laboratories two useful levels of precision in a single instrument. This dual-range design allows the MS205DU to handle demanding semi-micro measurements while retaining substantially more capacity for routine analytical weighing, tare containers, and larger samples.
Available used and refurbished from American Instrument Exchange, the Mettler Toledo MS205DU incorporates MonoBloc weighing technology, FACT automatic internal adjustment, an enclosed draft shield with ergonomic ErgoDoors, QuickLock removable glass panels, an 80 mm weighing pan, and a robust metal housing. It is particularly well suited for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, environmental, academic, research, and quality-control laboratories that need microgram-level resolution without sacrificing the flexibility of a 220 g analytical weighing range.
Each balance is inspected, cleaned, calibrated, and tested for weighing performance before shipment and includes a 90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange.
Key Features
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Dual-range semi-micro weighing
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82 g fine-range capacity with 0.01 mg / 10 µg readability
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220 g full-range capacity with 0.1 mg readability
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Typical repeatability of approximately 0.015 mg at low load
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Repeatability limit of 0.08 mg at nominal load
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Fine-range repeatability limit of 0.05 mg at nominal fine-range load
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Linearity deviation limit of 0.2 mg
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Typical USP minimum sample weight of approximately 30 mg
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Typical minimum weight of approximately 3 mg at U=1%, k=2
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FACT automatic internal adjustment
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Two internal reference weights
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MonoBloc weighing technology
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80 mm diameter weighing pan
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Fully enclosed draft shield
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Ergonomic ErgoDoors
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QuickLock removable draft-shield glass panels
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High-contrast display
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Robust die-cast aluminum housing
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Compact, space-efficient design
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Used, refurbished, calibrated, and tested by American Instrument Exchange
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90-day warranty included
Overview
The Mettler Toledo MS205DU is designed for laboratories that need greater sensitivity than a conventional analytical balance while still requiring enough capacity for everyday analytical weighing.
Its dual-range weighing system is the key advantage.
Within the 82 g fine range, the MS205DU provides 0.01 mg, or 10 µg, readability. This allows the balance to resolve extremely small mass differences and supports demanding quantitative applications involving small samples.
Across the balance's full 220 g capacity, readability changes to 0.1 mg, providing the performance expected from a high-quality analytical balance.
This means a laboratory does not necessarily need separate semi-micro and analytical balances for these two types of work.
The MS205DU can perform highly sensitive measurements when required while still accommodating larger samples, weighing vessels, and routine analytical procedures.
For laboratories with varied sample sizes and measurement requirements, this flexibility can make the MS205DU a particularly valuable analytical instrument.
Common Applications
The Mettler Toledo MS205DU is well suited for standards preparation, pharmaceutical formulation, quantitative chemical analysis, gravimetric analysis, sample preparation, reagent weighing, filter weighing, loss-on-drying studies, quality control, research, and other high-accuracy analytical procedures.
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology laboratories can use the MS205DU for reference-standard preparation, active ingredient research, formulation development, analytical sample preparation, and quality-control procedures.
Chemical and environmental laboratories can use its fine range for small samples, residues, filters, compounds, and quantitative analytical work while retaining the ability to weigh larger quantities in the full analytical range.
Academic and research laboratories may find the dual-range architecture particularly useful because a single balance can support both routine analytical weighing and more demanding semi-micro research.
Ideal Laboratory Types
The MS205DU is a strong choice for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, environmental, academic, forensic, research, quality-control, and analytical testing laboratories.
It is particularly useful when a laboratory sometimes requires 10 µg readability but does not perform enough microgram-level weighing to justify dedicating a separate semi-microbalance to every workstation.
The MS205DU can function as a high-performance analytical balance for routine work and transition into its fine range when smaller samples or greater measurement resolution are required.
This versatility can be especially valuable in multi-user laboratories where sample sizes and analytical requirements change throughout the day.
Dual-Range Semi-Micro Weighing Performance
The defining characteristic of the MS205DU is its dual-range weighing system.
The balance provides:
0.01 mg / 10 µg readability from 0 to 82 g, and
0.1 mg readability through its full 220 g capacity.
This provides two distinct levels of measurement resolution without requiring the operator to switch instruments.
The fine range is ideal for demanding analytical work involving relatively small quantities.
The full range allows larger samples and containers to be weighed while maintaining analytical-balance resolution.
Mettler Toledo specifies a repeatability limit of 0.08 mg at nominal load, while typical repeatability at low load is approximately 0.015 mg under appropriate conditions.
Within the fine range, the specified repeatability limit at nominal fine-range load is approximately 0.05 mg.
Linearity deviation is specified at 0.2 mg.
Understanding the 82 g Fine Range
The 82 g fine range deserves particular attention when selecting the MS205DU.
The balance does not provide 0.01 mg readability throughout its entire 220 g capacity.
Instead, its highest resolution is available within the fine weighing range.
This distinction matters when planning applications.
If the combined weight of the sample and tare container remains within the fine range, the balance can provide 10 µg displayed resolution.
If the working load requires the full weighing range, the MS205DU continues to operate as a high-quality analytical balance with 0.1 mg readability.
Laboratories purchasing a dual-range balance should therefore consider not only the weight of the sample but also the weight of weighing vessels, containers, filters, pans, and other items placed on the balance.
Minimum Sample Weight & USP Applications
Mettler Toledo specifies a typical USP minimum sample weight of approximately 30 mg for the MS205DU under stated reference conditions.
The manufacturer also specifies a typical minimum weight of approximately 3 mg at U=1%, k=2.
These values illustrate one of the principal advantages of semi-micro weighing.
A laboratory working with very small quantities may be unable to achieve the required measurement uncertainty using a conventional analytical or precision balance, even if the instrument displays the desired number of decimal places.
Minimum weight is determined by balance repeatability and the uncertainty requirements of the procedure—not simply by readability.
Actual minimum weight should therefore be established for the individual installed balance under its real operating conditions.
For USP, GMP, GLP, or other regulated procedures, laboratories should determine and document minimum sample weight according to their applicable quality system and weighing requirements.
Controlling Drafts, Vibration & Static
At 10 µg readability, environmental control becomes an important part of obtaining reliable weighing results.
Air movement, vibration, electrostatic charge, temperature gradients, operator technique, and even sample temperature can influence semi-micro measurements.
The MS205DU incorporates an enclosed draft shield to isolate the weighing pan from routine laboratory air movement.
The balance should also be installed on a rigid, stable weighing surface, preferably away from centrifuges, shakers, pumps, compressors, doors, HVAC outlets, and high-traffic areas.
Static electricity can become particularly important when weighing powders, filters, plastic containers, or other low-mass materials.
Where static is a concern, laboratories may need to use appropriate antistatic techniques or equipment.
Samples and containers should also be allowed to equilibrate to the weighing environment whenever practical before critical semi-micro measurements are performed.
FACT Automatic Internal Adjustment
The MS205DU incorporates FACT automatic internal adjustment using two internal reference weights.
FACT helps maintain weighing performance by allowing the balance to automatically test and adjust itself as operating conditions change.
This is especially important for semi-micro weighing because very small environmental changes can become significant at 10 µg resolution.
Internal adjustment also eliminates the need for operators to manually place external calibration weights on the balance every time routine adjustment is required.
FACT should not be confused with external performance verification.
Laboratories operating under USP, GMP, GLP, ISO, or internal quality procedures may still require periodic testing using appropriate traceable external reference weights.
American Instrument Exchange calibrates and evaluates each refurbished MS205DU before shipment and verifies operation of the FACT adjustment system.
ErgoDoors & Draft Shield Design
The MS205DU incorporates Mettler Toledo's ErgoDoor draft-shield system, designed to make repetitive sample handling more convenient.
The doors are arranged so an operator can open the opposite-side door while simultaneously placing or removing a sample with the other hand.
This reduces unnecessary hand movement during repetitive weighing.
The draft-shield doors also remain within the footprint of the balance when opened rather than projecting substantially outward.
This makes the MS205DU well suited for crowded analytical benches where workspace is limited.
The enclosed chamber provides the environmental protection required for high-resolution weighing while retaining convenient access to the weighing pan.
QuickLock Cleaning & Contamination Control
Keeping a semi-microbalance clean is particularly important when working with powders, active pharmaceutical ingredients, chemicals, standards, and other materials that can accumulate inside the weighing chamber.
The MS205DU incorporates QuickLock removable draft-shield panels.
The glass panels can be removed without tools, simplifying routine cleaning of both the glass and the weighing chamber.
This design can be particularly valuable in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, and multi-user laboratories where the balance may be exposed to different sample types throughout the day.
Easy cleaning helps reduce cross-contamination and prevents accumulated material from interfering with sensitive weighing procedures.
Key Specifications
| Specification |
Mettler Toledo MS205DU |
| Balance Type |
Dual-Range Semi-Micro / Analytical Balance |
| Maximum Capacity |
220 g |
| Fine-Range Capacity |
82 g |
| Full-Range Readability |
0.1 mg |
| Fine-Range Readability |
0.01 mg / 10 µg |
| Repeatability Limit at Nominal Load |
0.08 mg |
| Fine-Range Repeatability Limit |
0.05 mg |
| Typical Repeatability at Low Load |
Approx. 0.015 mg |
| Linearity Deviation Limit |
±0.2 mg |
| Typical Linearity Deviation |
Approx. 0.06 mg |
| Typical USP Minimum Weight |
Approx. 30 mg |
| Typical Minimum Weight (U=1%, k=2) |
Approx. 3 mg |
| Adjustment |
Internal / automatic FACT |
| Internal Reference Weights |
2 |
| Weighing Technology |
MonoBloc |
| Weighing Pan |
80 mm diameter |
| Draft Shield |
Enclosed with ErgoDoors |
| Usable Draft-Shield Height |
Approx. 235 mm |
| Overall Dimensions |
247 mm W × 358 mm D × 331 mm H |
| Balance Weight |
Approx. 6.8 kg |
| Display |
High-contrast display |
| Housing |
Die-cast aluminum / polymer components |
| Standard Model Legal for Trade |
No |
Choosing Between a Semi-Micro and Analytical Balance
A conventional analytical balance generally provides 0.1 mg readability.
That level of resolution is appropriate for a broad range of laboratory procedures, including routine quantitative analysis, reagent preparation, standards preparation, and general analytical work.
A semi-microbalance such as the MS205DU increases resolution to 0.01 mg / 10 µg within its fine range.
That tenfold improvement becomes valuable when working with smaller samples, expensive compounds, reference materials, filters, residues, or procedures where reducing minimum sample weight is important.
The tradeoff is increased environmental sensitivity.
Semi-micro measurements require greater attention to airflow, vibration, static electricity, temperature stability, and operator technique.
The MS205DU provides an attractive compromise because it offers both semi-micro and analytical weighing ranges in the same instrument.
MS205DU vs. a Single-Range Semi-Microbalance
The MS205DU is a dual-range balance.
It provides 10 µg readability through 82 g and then transitions to 0.1 mg readability through its full 220 g capacity.
A single-range semi-microbalance may provide its highest readability throughout its entire weighing range.
The advantage of the MS205DU is flexibility.
Laboratories can perform high-resolution semi-micro work when necessary while retaining a substantially larger analytical weighing range for routine samples and heavier containers.
A single-range model may be preferable when virtually every measurement requires maximum resolution.
The MS205DU is particularly attractive when laboratory workloads regularly alternate between semi-micro and conventional analytical weighing.
MS205DU vs. MS105DU
Both the Mettler Toledo MS205DU and MS105DU are dual-range semi-microbalances providing 0.01 mg readability in their fine ranges and 0.1 mg readability in their full ranges.
The principal difference is capacity.
The MS105DU provides approximately 42 g of fine-range capacity and 120 g maximum capacity.
The MS205DU increases those limits to 82 g fine-range capacity and 220 g maximum capacity.
The MS205DU is therefore better suited for laboratories working with heavier tare containers, larger samples, or procedures where greater working capacity is valuable.
The MS105DU may provide sufficient capacity for laboratories whose semi-micro work primarily involves smaller samples and vessels.
Refurbishment & Performance Testing
Every used Mettler Toledo MS205DU sold by American Instrument Exchange is inspected, cleaned, refurbished as necessary, calibrated, and tested before shipment.
Our technicians use appropriate traceable calibration weights to evaluate critical weighing characteristics including accuracy, repeatability, linearity, corner-load performance, stability, and reduced span across appropriate portions of the weighing range.
For a dual-range semi-microbalance, testing must account for both the 10 µg fine range and the 0.1 mg full analytical range.
The MonoBloc weighing system, FACT automatic internal adjustment, display, controls, ErgoDoors, draft shield, leveling components, weighing pan, and installed interfaces are inspected and tested for proper operation.
The weighing chamber and removable glass panels are thoroughly cleaned, and the balance receives a final operational inspection before shipment.
Each refurbished MS205DU includes a 90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange.
Shipping & Installation Considerations
Semi-microbalances require careful handling during transportation and installation.
American Instrument Exchange securely prepares the MS205DU for shipment to protect its MonoBloc weighing system, weighing pan, draf
