PEEKsil™ tubing
(Fused Silica Lined PEEK tubing)
PEEKsil™ is polymer-sheathed fused silica tubing, available in outside diameters of 1/32 inch or 1/16 inch, and now in 0.36mm. The sheathing polymer is polyether ether ketone (PEEK) that is mechanically strong and has ideal characteristics for sealing with conventional metal or polymer ferrule systems. PEEKsil™ may be used as a direct replacement for conventional stainless steel as well as a replacement for PEEK tubing used in liquid chromatography systems. The new 0.36mm OD material allows it to be used directly in place of 0.36mm OD fused silica tubing.
Advantages of PEEKsil™
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Robust Tubing
The PEEK polymer exterior coating and the fused silica combination (Figure 1) makes PEEKsil™ very robust. PEEKsil™ is therefore capable of withstanding high pressures, making it ideal for capillary LC and LC-MS applications. All PEEKsil™ tubing is pressure rated to 10000psi.
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Smooth Wall Surface
The fused silica internal wall of PEEKsil™ provides an exceptionally smooth surface, free of imperfections, which ensures excellent flow characteristics. Stainless steel, in contrast, has a very rough and pitted inner wall surface, which has detrimental effects on the performance of a liquid chromatography system.
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Solvent Compatibility
PEEKsil™ is compatible with most organic solvents. PEEKsil™ is resistant to strong acids and has an effective pH range of 0-10. PEEKsil™ is not compatible with hydrofluoric acid.
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Inertness
Fused silica is renowned for its extremely low absorption characteristics.
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Precision of Inside Diameter
The inside diameter of fused silica tubing can be produced far more precisely and with a greater range of sizes than is available with stainless steel (see Table 1).
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Zero Metal Contact in LC
The sample and mobile phase do not come into contact with metal in PEEKsil™ tubing.
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Ease of Connection
PEEKsil™ is inherently straight, but is very flexible, which makes connection between columns, detectors and injectors easier than with more rigid stainless steel tubing.
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Applications of PEEKsil™
PEEKsil™ can be used in all applications where solvents must be pumped under high or low pressures with little flow resistance or possibility of contamination. Typical uses are in LC connecting lines, sample loops and sample lines.
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Figure 1. PEEKsil™ Tubing cross-section |
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