A
Optimizing the LC Conditions
PEEK Tubing
Thermo Scientific
Surveyor MSQ Plus Hardware Manual
125
Y
To plumb your system with PEEK tubing:
1. Cut PEEK tubing with a polymeric tubing cutter to ensure a square cut, to prevent
distortion of the tubing, and to avoid creating burrs that will constrict flow. Thermo
Fisher Scientific recommends a polymeric tubing cutter that is engineered with guide
holes for 1/16-in. and 1/8-in. OD tubing. The following instructions apply to the
Upchurch Scientific Model A18 Polymeric Tubing Cutter and are provided courtesy of
Upchurch Scientific:
a. Squeeze the tabs at the back of the cutter together to raise the blade.
b. Insert your tubing through the appropriate guide hole.
c.
Release the tabs, allowing the blade of the cutter to rest on the tubing.
d. Holding the tubing, spin the cutter around the tubing to begin the cut. For PEEK
tubing, spin the cutter two to three times, then remove the tubing and snap the
tubing at the cut.
2. Slip a fitting over the end of the tubing.
3. As you insert PEEK tubing into a port, ensure that the end of the tubing makes contact
with the bottom of the port. Then, tighten the fitting finger-tight. See
.
Figure 87.
Poor connections result if tubing is not bottomed in the port (A) or is not cut square (B)
Note
1. Tubing that is not properly seated can add dead volume to a chromatographic
system.
2. Never over-tighten PEEK fittings as this can cause leaks.
Courtesy of Rheodyne website
(A)
(B)
