Properties of PFA
Excellent Temperature Stability
BRAND PFA trace analysis labware maintains its stability at temperatures from -200 ºC to 260 ºC (-328 ºF to 500 ºF).
No Leachable Metals
PFA is manufactured without metals such as calcium, aluminum, iron, magnesium, nickel, copper, manganese or zinc. These metals can leach into samples from other containers, and contaminate samples.
Simplified Cleaning
Conventional labware for trace analysis requires time-consuming and expensive cleaning. The hydrophobic and anti-adhesive properties of the exceptionally smooth-surfaced PFA labware simplify the cleaning process, making it ideal for trace analysis.
Superior Chemical Resistance
PFA is inert with most reagents, including nitric and hydrochloric acid routinely used in cleaning trace analysis labware. This stability significantly reduces the risk of cross-contamination.
Excellent Long-Term Stability
PFA containers often extend the stability of low (ppb) concentration standards. Such stability reduces the time and cost of renewing trace analysis standard solutions.
Highly Translucent
Translucency is important for making accurate measurements using volumetric labware.
Advantages of PFA Labware in Trace Analyses
Scanning electron microscopy illustrates the advantages of PFA in trace analysis. (Magnification: 8000X)
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Bottle - HD-PE |
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Beaker - PTFE |
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Evaporating Dish - PFA |
Scanning electron microscopy of this bottle wall shows the roughness of HD-PE. The in- creased surface area of HD-PE can lead to carry-over of reagents.
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Similar to HD-PE, electron micrographs of this beaker reveal a typically rough surface that can interact with reagents and complicate cleaning.
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Even at 8000x magnification, the surfaces of this PFA evaporating dish are very smooth. It is this smoothness, combined with PFA’s hydrophobic, anti-adhesive and inert properties, that simplify cleaning.
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