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Page 19 of 25 SPEX SamplePrep LLC 9.24.07
The impactor will have to be separated from the sample and can be handled with gloved fingers,
a strong magnet, tongs, or pliers. Tools without a good gripping surface are likely to slip off the
impactor.
If some condensation on a cold sample is unacceptable, you can either wait for the sample vial to
warm up before opening and emptying it, or open and empty a chilled vial in a glove box filled
with dry nitrogen gas, argon, etc.
Small amounts of sample usually adhere to the vial’s impactor, end plugs, and plastic cylinder.
Brushing or scraping these surfaces of the vial can often recover this fraction of the sample.
Again, speed is important to minimize condensation and other effects of warming.
If it is necessary to recover 100% of the sample, let the vial warm up and add some water or
other liquid that will not affect the polycarbonate (see 6.34, Cleaning the vial). Shake the vial,
empty it onto some filter paper, and rinse again if necessary to recover all the sample.
6.34 Cleaning the Vials
Freezer/Mill vials may be superficially cleaned quickly and easily by placing them under running
hot water. If the vial is cold a coating of ice will form on the steel parts, but will melt quickly as
the water runs.
The plastic center cylinders for all vials, and the Poly-Vial end plugs and impactor capsules, are
made of polycarbonate. While this polymer is very tough at low temperatures, it is sensitive
to alcohol, acetone, and other organic solvents, and should be cleaned only with soap and
water. A mild bleach solution will control organic contamination. Polycarbonate can be
autoclaved, but this will weaken it.
Before re-using polycarbonate parts, always inspect them for cracks or other damage. They may
last for dozens or hundreds of samples, but as soon as they begin to crack they should be
discarded.
If sample adheres to the steel end plugs and impactor, they can be cleaned with water and soap or
detergent, or with organic solvents. If they must be disinfected or cleaned of any organic
residue, they can be washed with bleach or chemical cleaners or autoclaved, but should always
be dried immediately after use. The steel parts in the 6751, 6801, and 6881 vials are made from
440C Stainless Steel, a so-called magnetic stainless steel, which is corrosion-resistant but will
rust if left in contact with water. Surgical-grade stainless steel, which is truly rustproof, is
nonmagnetic and cannot be used for Freezer/Mill end-plugs and impactor.
The steel parts of the chromium-free 6771, 6871, and 6883 vials can also be washed, disinfected,
autoclaved, etc., but chromium-free steel is not rust-resistant and must always be dried
immediately after washing. Store Cr-Free Vial parts in a sealed bag with a desiccant.
Rust on steel Freezer/Mill parts can be removed by scrubbing them with steel wool or an
abrasive cleanser. If rusting persists, store the parts in a sealed bag with a desiccant.