8. Using nitrogen, dry the interior of the sample tubes and filler rods under a
vent hood. Use a tubing extension long enough and small enough in diame-
ter to fit inside the tubes.
Figure 2-5. Drying Sample Tubes
9. Stand the sample tubes on the sample tube rack and place the filler rods in a
basket or in the rack. Bake in a drying oven for two hours.
10. Remove the sample tubes from the oven and allow them to cool.
11. Wipe a rubber stopper with a lint-free cloth.
12. Label the sample tube and stopper for identification.
13. Fill the tube with the selected backfill gas; then insert the stopper quickly to
avoid releasing the gas.
To obtain the accurate weight of a degassed sample, the gas in both the
empty sample tube and in the tube with the sample must be the same.
Preparing Samples for Degassing SmartPrep
2-12 Aug 98