Lois I haven't used Apiezon Q. But for semi-permanent sealing (of cracks in glass lines and of ground glass joints) have found that the black wax - Apiezon W (softens at 80-90 C; vapour pressure <10-8 mbar at 20C) - maintains good long-term vacuum with no side effects I am aware of. Tim Heaton NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory British Geological Survey Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG Tel. +44(0)115 936 3401 Fax +44(0)115 936 3302 E-mail: [log in to unmask]