Agilent Technologies 1290 Infinity User Manual page 54

4
Using the Module
Solvent Information
Solvent information for parts of the 1260 Infinity Bio-inert LC system
For the Agilent 1260 Infinity Bio-inert LC system, Agilent Technologies uses
highest quality materials (see
path (also referred to as wetted parts), which are widely accepted by life
scientists, as they are known for optimum inertness to biological samples, and
ensure best compatibility to common samples and solvents over a wide pH
range. Explicitly, the complete flow path is free from stainless steel and free
from other alloys containing metals such as iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium,
molybdenum or copper, which can interfere with biological samples. The flow
downstream of the sample introduction contains no metals whatsoever.
However, there are no materials that combine suitability for versatile HPLC
instrumentation (valves, capillaries, springs, pump heads, flow cells etc.) with
complete compatibility with all possible chemicals and application conditions.
This section recommends the preferred solvents. Chemicals that are known to
cause issues should be avoided, or exposure should be minimized, for example,
for short-term cleaning procedures. After potentially aggressive chemicals
have been used, the system should be flushed with compatible standard HPLC
solvents.
PEEK
PEEK (Polyether-Ether Ketones) combines excellent properties with regard to
biocompatibility, chemical resistance, mechanical and thermal stability and is
therefore the material of choice for biochemical instrumentation. It is stable in
the specified pH range, 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. As normal PEEK capillaries are
very sensitive to high pressure, especially under such conditions, Agilent uses
stainless-steel cladded PEEK capillaries to keep the flow path free of steel and
to ensure pressure stability to at least 600 bar. If in doubt, consult the
available literature about the chemical compatibility of PEEK.
54
"Bio-inert Materials"
Agilent 1290 Infinity Valve Drive and Valve Heads
on page 21) in the flow