SilcoTek®coatings offer major improvements to inertness in sampling systems. But keeping your flowpath inert may not be the only issue to consider. If the sample or sample environment is corrosive, abrasive, or otherwise extreme you'll want to consider other benefits our coatings offer. Here are 3 ways our inert coatings improve instrument durability in harsh sampling environments.
1. Corrosion resistance:
Coating the entire sample flowpath with an inert silicon coating like Dursan®, helps to prevent formation of adsorptive instrument corrosion particles and increase the life of the sample system. Rust particles can be tremendously adsorptive, the presence of even a small amount of rust can reduce sampling accuracy, increase calibration failures, and distort peaks. All of which will require more analyst time and money to resolve.
Instrument probes, tubing, fittings, filters, and regulators exposed to corrosive sampling streams can be made both inert and corrosion resistant by coating the wetted surfaces with Dursan®. Dursan can improve acid corrosion resistance 10x or more while assuring your sample flowpath is inert down to low part-per-million sensitivity.
2. Wear and lubricity:
Applications like downhole tools, slider valves or rotating valves can bind under stress; damaging the sampling tool, while exposing potentially active sites to your sample and reducing sample accuracy. Dursan® significantly reduces sliding friction and binding, preventing binding or damage to flowpath surfaces.
Wear resistance is also improved. Stainless steel surfaces are relatively soft and can erode over time. Erosion can expose potential active sites and reduce system life. SilcoTek's chemical vapor deposition process incorporates a durable coating into the stainless steel surface; enhancing both inertness and durability. While Dursan is not suitable for extremely abrasive environments, the coating will improve durability in particulate rich environments like stack and exhaust sampling.
3. Extreme Temperatures:
Inert surfaces like PTFE can quickly degrade when exposed to temperatures above 250°c and will become brittle in cryogenic environments. Sampling cryogenic liquids, high temp reactors, stacks or flares can easily exceed the capabilities of PTFE and other coatings. SilcoTek offers inert coating solutions for environments ranging from -270°cup to 1000°c, allowing accurate sampling without damaging the sampling pathway.
Watch our freeze test video:
There are many potentially damaging and reactive conditions that can ruin an analyst's day. Our Tech Service Staff is available to discuss your inert coating application. Want to learn more about how to improve the durability of your sampling surface?
