Clean and reuse gold seals?

[shaolinseperation]

Had some problems with tailing on a gc. swapped the gold seal and it fixed it. can i clean and reuse the old seal? soak it in some solvent or sonicate it?

[Peter Apps]

You can clean it - use whatever solvents and mechaical aids get the crud off. The problem will come when you re-use it, because it makes a metal on metal seal at the base of the inlet it may not re-seal a second time. Uusally I find that they do re-seal, despite what the suppliers (who obviously want you to buy new ones) tell you.

Peter

[chromatographer1]

Just to give some imput from a 'supplier' of GC parts:

It is easier to recommend replacement than to deal with the complaints about poor performance from customers who assume parts can be reused.

So it is more honest, fair, and considerate to tell people to replace rather than waste their time and money dealing with a faulty situation. Given that declaration, hey folks, I am a consumer too, ya know. Save money where you can, but just be careful. Don't spend money when it might be cheaper on the long run just to replace with new and have no worries.

Going back to my twice used tea bag for another cup of tea........

best wishes,

Rod

[Peter Apps]

Of course Rod is right - time is money and you have to weigh up the saving on the parts and consumables against the actual and potential cost in time. In academic labs where funds are short and students work for nearly nothing the balance tips towards re-using everything until it falls apart, in commercial labs it goes the other way; have spares in hand and replace things before they break. When I was still doing my doctorate I remember using a tapered punch to expand a used Swagelok ferrule because we did not have budget for a new one !! Kids today don't know they're born ... (from Monty Python's three yorkshiremen) .

Peter

[chromatographer1]

Peter,

Now that is economical ! and a new one for me. I could never get the little buggers off the tubing.

Although I did cut them off the tubing to reuse the tubing, which generally leaked and would not seal well again.

But then I squeak when I walk and I dry and reuse paper towels.

best wishes,

Rod