Product category:
Materials and components
News Release from: Victrex USA | Subject: Peek polymer
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 07 August 2002
Polymer aids novel HPLC quick-connect
system
When Optimize Technologies developed the world's first high-pressure low-dispersion quick-connect system for high performance liquid chromatography, it chose Peek polymer for a number of components.
When Optimize Technologies of Oregon City was developing the world's first high-pressure, low dispersion, quick-connect system for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), it chose Peek polymer for a number of components because of its mechanical strength, chemical resistance and ability to withstand very high pressures HPLC relies on the pumping of solvents around a system through very narrow tubing at very high pressure - upwards of 5000 to 6000lb/in2
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 17 Dec 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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"It is important that the fluid connections that are made between instrument components that need to be placed in-line in the flow path are reliable", says David Ingram, marketing manager at Optimize Technologies.
"The traditional way of making these connections involves the use of compression fittings which are prone to leakage, and can cause costly instrument downtime while the problem is fixed".
To solve these problems, Optimize Technologies designed a patented quick-connect sealing interface called Opti-Lynx that can be used to make and break tubing connections instantly with just a quarter-turn.
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"By using Peek polymer we were able to satisfy two important parameters for working in HPLC", says Ingram.
"First is the pressure limitation - you need to be able to seal up to 6000lb/in2 - and second is to be able to keep the entire system volume as low as possible.
By using the polymer, we were able to design a quick-connect interface that meets both of these requirements and is completely reliable".
To make an Opti-Lynx connection, two components - a slotted side and a pinned side - come together around a Peek polymer insert.
"It's a spring loaded connection that requires a fair amount of force to create a robust seal in a mechanism that seals in a quarter turn", explains Ingram.
"This is where the mechanical strength of Peek polymer comes into play.
There is considerable force on the Peek polymer tip of the insert, which is pressed into a cone shaped stainless steel receptacle on the mating component.
Engaging the quick-connect device exerts force that pushes the tip down into the conical receptacle.
The benefit of the system is that you can gain access and deal with any maintenance problem easily.
You literally pop the hardware apart, change the component and put it back together again in seconds".
Peek polymer was also chosen for its superior chemical resistance.
"In HPLC", says Ingram, "You may be working with one of any number of organic solvents as part of the liquid being pumped around the system and it is important to ensure that these liquids don't degrade the materials that are being used in-line.
Peek polymer resists a broad range of chemicals".
Another important property is the polymer's dimensional stability.
"For the Opti-Lynx design, tolerances of the mating surfaces are critical", says Ingram.
"In addition, the polymer is an excellent material to work with.
These components are machined parts and as polymers go, Peek is very easy to work with".
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