I have 2 stainless steel systems and one of our organic chem labs has a peek
system. I have very few problems with my systems. Any problems I do have
is usually due to some of the lines being made of peek instead of SS. Over
the years, I have found that peek is not as stable as they say it is. Any
line that is peek and under high pressure (<4000psi) and is pumping a high
concentration of acetonitrile, blows out every once in awhile (1-2 months).
I do not have this problem with the peek tubing that is pumping aqueous
solvent. I spent some time teaching one of our organic chemists the joy of
reverse phase purification of some of his molecules on his peek system. We
had the injector (which made mostly of peek) go bad. The loop blew out and
the rotor seals needed to be replaced. I had problems with various fittings
resealing and had to replace them as well. This did not appear to be due to
particulates. I use peek fittings with my SS system without a problem.
I use peek lines in my HPLC systems, but the system is mostly stainless
steel.
I hope this was useful,
Mike Brasseur
Tularik Inc.
brasseur@tularik.com
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Deanne Wiebe asked:
>Hello all,
>
>Currently in my lab we have four HPLCs. Two are stainless steel, and two
>are PEEK systems. They are identical in all other aspects. We experience
>many more difficulties with the PEEK systems and downtime on the PEEK
>systems is significantly greater than for the stainless steel systems.
>
>Is this just a coincidence, or has anyone else noticed that PEEK systems
>are less reliable or need more maintenance? Are there special tricks to
>using PEEK that aren't required for stainless steel? Any advice or
>experience you can share would be appreciated.
>
>Thanks in advance for your help.
>
>Deanna
>
>
>
>-----------------------------------
>Deanna Wiebe
>Cangene Corporation
>26 Henlow Bay
>Winnipeg MB R3Y 1G4
>Canada
>ph: (204) 989-6427
>fax: (204) 989-6879
>dwiebe@cangene.ca
>
>