How can I protect my fluoropolymer-coated Heat-On from damage?

The fluoropolymer coating is our most popular format of Heat-On.  It offers additional chemical resistance compared to the anodised aluminium finish.

However, care should still be taken to prolong the life of your polymer-coated Heat-On.
The coating may be damaged by the factors listed below.  For some applications, the anodised Heat-On may therefore be more suitable.

Chemicals

The fluoropolymer coating has excellent chemical resistance, but it can be damaged through exposure to some chemicals, particularly high concentrations of corrosive chemicals, or over extended periods of time, or if heated.

It is important to clean off any chemical spills as soon as possible.  Consider also any chemicals that could be on your glassware – glassware should be kept clean if using with Heat-On.

Physical abrasion

Rubbing, scratching, scraping, wearing etc. could all damage the coating.

Possible causes of this are use of glassware with a rough surface (scratched or uneven etc.), chemical residue / grit between the glassware and the Heat-On, use of a magnetic stirring bar directly in the Heat-On, or placing other equipment inside the Heat-On (e.g. during storage).

High temperatures

Our general advice is that Heat-On can be used up to 200°C without damage to the block, with temperatures up to 260°C possible but with a risk of minor surface degradation.

For the polymer-coated blocks, above 200°C the coating may be damaged by prolonged high temperatures. Very high temperatures are more likely to lead to more damage.  If the coating has already been weakened by chemical exposure and/or physical abrasion, it is likely to be more sensitive to temperature.

(For further details, you can refer to the FAQ entry, ‘What is the maximum temperature of Heat-On?’)