HPLC for anion exchange

[MK]

Hi,

We are purchasing a HPLC for anion exchange use and high NaCl concentrations (<1,5 M). I would have preferred an agilent 1100 but then I heard that corrosion will be a problem with stainless steel parts. Also heard that waters has an alliance bioseparations system manufactured from titanium.

Anybody using these systems with high salt consentrations? I would really appreciate any user experiences.

Many thanks!

[grrr_aham]

We use a very old (1988) Dionex BioLC which has an inert plastic bodied pumping system. Typically we run 0-1.4M NaCl gradients containing 1mM NaOH. This works well but needs a plunger/seal washing system, our piston seals do not last long!
Any stainless steel gets very badly corroded!
You must ask the vendors about suitability for your application. Make sure it has a good plunger/seal washing facility.
I would be interested to know if Titanium is suitable!

[Markus Laeubli, Metrohm]

With such high NaCl concentrations I strongly recommend a metal free system.
Best will be a PEEK system.

[MK]

Thanks!

Anybody have experience from the "titanium Alliance"?

Which companies has metal free systems?

I've heard that high salt concentration PLUS high/low pH causes the problems? Our pH would be around 8 and max NaCl concentration 1.5 M. Would this be ok with agilent 1100 with plunger/seal washing system?

thanks again!

[Markus Laeubli, Metrohm]

Metrohm, Switzerland manufactures metal free systems, but mainly for Ionchromatography.

[Chris Pohl]

MK

Generally, the corrosion resistance of titanium systems is best under acidic conditions. We have heard of a number of customers observing problems due to corrosion trying to use titanium systems at elevated pH with anion exchange systems. If you know you're going to work under alkaline conditions, you would be better off investing in a PEEK based system.