>As for thawing, I have been warming the Kel-F tube slowly with a heat gun.
>In partice, we place the heat gun about 2 feet below the tube and blow warm
>air arond the length of the tube. This should be less stressing than the
>water bath... but still must introduce temperature gradients (and
>stresses?) into the tube. My experience is for a period of 4 years without
>noticeable deterioration, but Peter's adventure is well noted! Anybody else
>experienced with the warm air cooling that could give feedback?
>
>Dr. Georges Beaudoin


Georges, don't laugh but the best 'tool' to use in the laboratory
for the kel-f tube and glass ware is a hair dryer.  I have worn out
two of them in 10 years and am still on my first kel-f tube.
They are also good for drying your hair if you get caught in the
rain on the way to work.

Kim.


-------------------------------------------------------------------
Kim Baublys
Stable Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory
Department of Earth Sciences
University of Queensland  4072
Australia