Hello Everyone,

We have a Carlo Erba elemental analyzer attached to our mass
spectrometer and are analyzing the d13C and d15N composition of
organic samples.  Over the past month we have had reaction columns
(translucent silica type) cracking at an incredible rate.  In one
case the column cracked after only 20 samples.  When we look at the
column it is easy to see what is happening.  It appears that the tin
cups are eating into the column reducing the column wall to half its
original thickness and thus weakening it.  We are not running unusual
samples or big samples and generally only use the thin-walled tin
cups.  However, when we use the thick-walled tin cups the columns
seems to die faster.  Has anyone else seen this problem?  More
importantly, does anyone know why it is happening and how I can solve
it?

Yours truly,
Jennifer


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Jennifer Mckay
Agente de Recherche / Research Associate
GEOTOP - Universite du Quebec a Montreal
C.P. 8888, succursale Centre-Ville
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
H3C 3P8

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