Caring of Fritted Glassware

Cleaning of Frittedware
A new fritted ware like a filter is required to be washed by suction. For this hot hydrochloric acid is used and followed by rinsing with water. This treatment effectively removes loose particles like dust. Like all glassware it is also advisable to clean all Fritted ware as soon as possible after use. This helps to extend their life.

For a Fritted filter most of the precipitates gets removed from the filter surface with a simple rinsing by water. However this is to be done from the reverse side with a water pressure not exceeding 15 lbs./sq. in. Alternatively, water is drawn through the filter from the reverse side using a vacuum pump is equally effective. To remove the action of precipitates clogging the pores of a Fritted filter, chemical treatments become necessary. The following table list some of the chemicals used.

Cleaning Solution	Material
Hot ammonia/ hot hydrochloric acid.	Albumen
Hot nitric acid.	Mercury Residue
Carbon tetrachloride	Fatty materials
Ammonia or sodium hyposulfite.	AgCl(silver chloride)
5-10% Sodium hydroxide followed by a cleaning solution.	viscose

Operating Pressures
Fritted glassware is basically meant for conducting vacuum filtration or for gas flow at comparatively low pressures. When employed for pressure work, the maximum differential on the disc must not go beyond (15) pounds per square inch. While preparing sample solution care must be taken for avoiding trapping of air. Presence of dissolved air can reduce the flow rate by up to 50%.

Thermal Limitations
The resistance of Fritted ware to thermal shocks is relatively lesser than other glass labware. Thus care should be taken that Fritted ware articles are not subjected to excessive temperature variations or to direct flame. While it is safe to heat Fritted ware in a furnace up to 500°C without any adverse effect, provided that there is gradual cycle of heating and cooling.