Routine Maintenance with FastPack Inlet Kits
What are the benefits of using a FastPack Inlet Kit?
Injection port maintenance should be performed prior to installing any capillary column, and on a routine basis, based on the number of injections made and the cleanliness of the samples. Maintenance includes replacing the injection port (inlet) liner, the critical inlet seals, and the septum. The FastPack inlet kit includes all the parts needed to maintain your system.
Why replace an injection port liner?
For optimum column performance, the injection port (inlet) liner must be free of septum particles, sample residue, or ferrule fragments. Peak shape degradation, poor reproducibility, sample decomposition, and ghost peaks all are associated with using a dirty (contaminated) liner.
Why replace the critical seal?
The critical seal must fit tightly around the inlet liner, to prevent carrier gas from leaking around the outside of the liner. Replace the critical seal prior to installing an inlet liner.
Why replace the septum?
The septum maintains a leak-tight seal that excludes air from the inlet. Frequent replacement prevents fragmentation and leaks. Multiple injections and continuous exposure to hot injection port surfaces will decompose the septum and can create particles, which can fall into the inlet liner. Septum particles are a potential source of ghost peaks, loss of inertness, and carrier gas flow occlusion. Allow a new septum sufficient time to condition in the injector, to reduce the incidence of ghost peaks. To avoid contamination, always use forceps when handling septa.
Why replace the inlet seal?
In Agilent split/splitless injection ports, the inlet seal sits at the base of the injector. Dirt, non-volatile residue, septum fragments, and other undesirable materials contaminate the inlet seal and decrease analytical linearity. The only way to maintain optimum performance is by frequently changing the inlet seal and ensuring the seal is leak-tight.
- Convenient: all the parts you need in one package—no hunting for individual items
- Economical: costs less than the sum of the individual parts
- Clean: Mylar bag is factory sealed; no contamination of the products from weeks in the lab
*Liner dimensions are 4mm ID, 6.3mm OD, 78.5mm long. Liners in other kits are 6.5mm OD.