Ion Chromatography

What is IC?

Ion chromatography (IC) is a liquid chromatographic technique in which the ionic components of a sample are separated into discrete bands by passing the sample through a column filled with a specially-designed ion exchange resin. Once separated, the individual ions are detected, identified and quantitated.

What is IC System?

IC is performed on an instrument called an ion chromatograph - or IC system. Basically, an IC system consists of a liquid eluent, a hight-pressure pump, a sample injector, an analytical column, and a detector with chemical suppression.

Ionic contamination of components is a concern because such contamination can result in corrosion within the disk.

It involves the determination of fluoride, chloride, nitrate, phosphate, bromide, sulfate, ammonium, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium.

It is applicable to mechanical components, polymers, spindle motors, VCMs, and HSA.

Components may be tested for surface contamination by extracting briefly with deionized water.

Components may be tested for suface contamination by extracting briefly with deionized water.

The water may be at ambient or elevated temperature. Alternatively, components may be immersed or extracted in water at elevated temperature for an extended time period for a more regorous extraction (leaching).

The extraction water is then analyzed using IC to identify and quantity extracted anoins.

Anoins which are commonly controlled include chloride and sulfate.

Brief Procedure

There are generally three sample preparation methods:

A procedure for extracting parts with ambient temperature water for 10 minutes.

An extended soak at 80 °C for 1 hour.

An extended soak at 80 °C for 24 hours.

Procedure for Water Extraction of Components

Ambient temperature extraction of components.

Ambient temperature wash of media.

Extended extraction at 80 °C for 1 or 24 hours.

Typical IC Chromatogram of Anion and Cation Standard.

For more details, please refer to IDEMA Reference
Measurement of Extractable/Leachable Anoin Contamination
Levels on Drive Components by Ion Chromatography (IC)

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