yellow seals normal phase / black seals reverse phase

Question

Hello!

I have a question

I have a 1290 binary pump. The default in the pump is yellow seals for the normal phase. But the mobile phase is acetonitrile/water or methanol/water for the reverse phase chromatography. Should I change the seals from yellow to black?

regards, Azrael

jhagel · Answer

Please do not change from the default yellow normal phase to black on a 1290 Infinity II pump (G4220X, G7104X, G7120X). There are special valves for normal phase applications as well. Which model pump do you have? 
 
 But for the 1260 you can swap the seals and use either the normal phase or reverse phase seals. (G131X, G711X) 
 
 "For running normal phase applications on Agilent Infinity and Infinity II pumps, yellow PE seals are required as piston seals. By default, 1290 Infinity, 1290 Infinity II, and 1260 Infinity II Flexible Pumps use ceramic pistons and yellow PE seals as piston seals. 1260 Infinity I/II pumps use sapphire pistons and black PTFE piston seals in a standard configuration. If using black PTFE seals with normal phase applications, the black PTFE seals wear and generate small particles. Such particles can clog valves and other parts in the flow path. When running normal phase applications on 1260 Infinity I/II pumps, the piston seals have to be changed to yellow PE seals. For optimum performance, PE seals should be replaced during preventive maintenance." 
 
 See page 60 of the user's manual: 1290 Infinity II High-Speed Pumps Agilent InfinityLab LC Series User Manual

gabcaron · Answer

It would be better for you. Normally black seals are able to sustain a higher pressure than the PE Seals. In that same sense, you probably would not be able to sustain higher pressure with yellow seals as they are not as good with reversed phase solvents, than you would with black seals.

tobknust · Answer

Hi jens , There are many reasons why we recommend the 200 bar limit for PE seals in 1260 pumps when used with nonpolar solvents, one of them is the piston. I would always use the black PTFE seals in the 1260 pumps unless nonpolar solvents are used, so in your case the black ones should work fine. But please don't get me wrong, the 1260 pumps will work reliably with both seal types, it is the application which determines which seal to use.

yellow seals normal phase / black seals reverse phase

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