VWR VAPOUR-Line lite II Manuel D'instructions page 10

4) If the pressure vessel becomes difficult to open or close and the sealing ring has expanded,
replace the sealing ring.
5) IMPORTANT: In time, the sealing ring may shrink and the air vent/cover lock, small gasket,
overpressure plug and pressure gauge adaptor may become hard and deformed. When this
happens, replace the sealing ring, small gasket, overpressure plug and pressure gauge adaptor.
The sealing ring, overpressure plug and pressure gauge adaptor should be replaced at least
every 2 years.
Before inserting a new sealing ring, clean the sealing ring groove with a brush. To ensure safe
operation of your unit, it is recommended that the pressure gauge adaptor and overpressure
plug be replaced whenever the sealing ring is replaced.
6) Anti-corrosion technique: When two different metals, with different chemical properties, come in
contact through an electrolyte an electron exchange is established. This process is known as
galvanic corrosion which starts oxidation of the weakest metal. In an aluminium autoclave this
natural effect can eventually lead to severe damage to the vessel.
To prevent this corrosion, all aluminium autoclaves are equipped with a special device called
sacrificial body (Cat. No. 481-0721). This device is a small disc fixed with a screw to the vessel
body and is made of a metal that is more easily oxidised then aluminium. This means that the
galvanic current will flow through the sacrificial body which will be corroded instead of the
autoclave vessel. If the sacrificial body has been completely worn out, the autoclave vessel will
begin to corrode, so it is mandatory to periodically check the sacrificial body status and replace it
before it wears out. It is advisable to order some spare sacrificial bodies in order to always run
the autoclave with a sacrificial body in it.
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