Product category:
General lab equipment
News Release from: Labtex | Subject: Cleaning fluoroplastics
Edited by the Laboratorytalk Editorial
Team on 31 March 2006
Cleaning and safety in the use of
fluoroplastics
All fluoroplastic materials, PTFE, PFA and FEP, generally have smooth, non-wetting surfaces and can usually be cleaned without problems; but use only a mildly alkaline detergent
Abrasive scouring agents might damage the surfaces and result in a milkiness of the vessels - especially those made of PFA and FEP You may use all neutral detergents (pH7)
This article was originally published on Laboratorytalk on 30 Sep 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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For a stronger contamination Labtex recommends the use of an alkaline detergent up to pH12.
Never clean or dry vessels in a laboratory washing machine or autoclave if they are sealed.
Cleaning for trace analysis.
Prior to use for trace analysis, the vessels should first be filled with a 1N HCL and HNO3 solution.
This solution should be allowed to stand for a maximum of six hours at room temperature.
The vessels should then be rinsed with deionized water.
This procedure will minimise the leaching of contaminating anions and cations from the vessels' surface.
Autoclaving at 121C.
Vessels made of PTFE, PFA or FEP can be steam autoclaved at 121C or dry heat autoclaved at 160C.
All vessels with screw covers or stoppers must be open while being autoclaved.
Autoclaving of closed vessels will result in plastic deformation or destruction of the vessels.
Plastics in microwave ovens.
Plastics in general and fluoroplastics with their high thermal resistance in particular are suitable for the microwave energy.
They allow a transmission of microwaves and thus a quick heating of the contents of the vessel.
Vessels made of fluoroplastics are particularly suitable for a heating of aggressive chemicals, such as acids or solvents.
Attention should be paid to the fact that the vapours produced can be sufficiently exhausted and that vessels or containers may be only heated when open e.g to avoid a possible bursting of the rupture membrane in the digestion vessel.
Pressure resistance of bottles.
Standard bottles made of PTFE, PFA or FEP should not be pressurised due to their thin walls.
Pressurisation could result in permanent deformation.
For applications involving pressurisation, please use digestion vessels or our reaction vessels.
For further information of the Bohlender range of fluoroplastic laboratory equipment and details of its physical properties and chemical resitance, contact Labtex. Request a free brochure from Labtex ...
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