All
liners gradually become dirty and the surface becomes active, making them unsuitable for most samples. To clean a liner with no visible deposits or discoloration it is best to rinse the inside with the following solvents in sequence:
Use a cotton swab or pipe cleaner to gently scrub the inner surface of the liner, but be very careful not to scratch the liner and thereby remove the deactivation layer. If deposits are visible or the liner is discolored it may be necessary to ultrasonicate the liner in methanol, then methylene chloride, then hexane. Some deposits must be removed by heating the liner to 450-500°C for one hour. These temperatures can remove some deactivation layers, but will not harm a
Siltek™ coating. Higher temperatures can soften the liner itself. Eventually all liners must be replaced, or at least must be re-deactivated on a regular schedule. Re-deactivation requires time and reagents, and when all costs are considered, replacement often is less expensive.
