User manual

Bio-inert Quaternary Pump User Manual 51

Using the Pump

Solvent Information

Observe the following recommendations on the use of solvents.

• Follow recommendations for avoiding the growth of algae, see “Algae

Growth in HPLC Systems” on page 50

• Small particles can permanently block capillaries and valves. Therefore

always filter solvents through 0.4 µm filters.

• Avoid or minimize the use of solvents, which may corrode parts in the flow

path. Consider specifications for the pH range given for different materials

like flow cells, valve materials etc. and recommendations in subsequent

sections.

Solvent information for parts of the 1260 Infinity Bio-inert LC

system

For the Agilent 1260 Infinity Bio-inert LC system, Agilent Technologies uses

highest quality materials (see “Bio-inert Materials” on page 17) in the flow

path (also referred to as wetted parts), which are widely accepted by life

scientists, as they are known for optimum inertness towards biological

samples and ensure best compatibility to common samples and solvents over a

wide pH range. Explicitly, the complete flow path is free of stainless steel and

free of other alloys containing metals like iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium,

molybdenum or copper, which can interfere with biological samples. The flow

downstream of the sample introduction does not contain metals at all.

However there are no materials, which combine suitability for versatile HPLC

instrumentation (valves, capillaries, springs, pump heads, flow cells etc.) with

complete compatibility to all possible chemicals and application conditions.

This section gives recommendations, which solvents should be preferred.

Chemicals which are known to cause issues should be avoided or exposure

should be minimized, e.g. for short term cleaning procedures. After using

potentially aggressive chemicals, the system should be flushed with

compatible standard HPLC solvents.