Agilent Technologies InfinityLab LC Series User Manual page 109

5
Preparing the Module
Solvent Information
Disclaimer
Subsequent data was collected from external resources and is meant as a
reference. Agilent cannot guarantee the correctness and completeness of such
information. Data is based on compatibility libraries, which are not specific
for estimating the long-term life time under specific but highly variable
conditions of UHPLC systems, solvents, solvent mixtures and samples.
Information can also not be generalized due to catalytic effects of impurities
like metal ions, complexing agents, oxygen etc. Apart from pure chemical
corrosion, other effects like electro corrosion, electrostatic charging
(especially for non-conductive organic solvents), swelling of polymer parts etc.
need to be considered. Most data available refers to room temperature
(typically 20 – 25 °C, 68 – 77 °F). If corrosion is possible, it usually accelerates
at higher temperatures. If in doubt, please consult technical literature on
chemical compatibility of materials.
PEEK
PEEK (Polyether-Ether Ketones) combines excellent properties regarding
biocompatibility, chemical resistance, mechanical and thermal stability. PEEK
is therefore the material of choice for UHPLC and biochemical
instrumentation.
It is stable in the specified pH range (for the Bio-inert LC system: pH 1 – 13,
see bio-inert module manuals for details), and inert to many common solvents.
There is still a number of known incompatibilities with chemicals such as
chloroform, methylene chloride, THF, DMSO, strong acids (nitric acid > 10 %,
sulphuric acid > 10 %, sulfonic acids, trichloroacetic acid), halogenes or
aequous halogene solutions, phenol and derivatives (cresols, salicylic acid
etc.).
When used above room temperature, PEEK is sensitive to bases and various
organic solvents, which can cause it to swell. Under such conditions normal
PEEK capillaries are very sensitive to high pressure. Therefore Agilent uses
stainless-steel cladded PEEK capillaries in bio-inert systems. The use of
stainless steel cladded PEEK capillaries keeps the flow path free of steel and
ensures pressure stability to at least 600 bar. If in doubt, consult the available
literature about the chemical compatibility of PEEK.
Agilent InfinityLab LC Series Vialsamplers User Manual 109