Contamination of brake fluid by power steering fluid.
Analysis of a contaminated brake fluid revealed the contaminant to be power steering fluid. The sample received at the laboratory presented two immiscible phases, which were both organic. Both fluids were analyzed by GC-MS and compared with a library of known automotive fluids. The bottom layer (brake fluid) consisted of glycols while the top layer (power steering fluid) consisted of aliphatics ranging from C16 to C25+. An interesting phenomenon of diffusion of some of the glycols from the brake fluid phase into the power steering fluid phase was observed and needs to be taken into consideration in the interpretation of the results.
A Note on the Detection and Determination of Mineral Oil Contamination in Brake Fluids
Abstract A simple column chromatographic technique for the recovery of small amounts of mineral oil from automobile brake fluids is described.
“Direct” (on-column) sampling into glass capillary columns
Abstract On-column (direct) sampling is superior to other techniques of sampling into capillary columns, especially for analyses with quantitative objectives, for example the precise and accurate determination of relative response factors. Discrimination by volatility of sample constituents is minimal and only slightly dependent on solvent volatility and column inlet temperature, but is independent of the type of carrier gas. Prior heating of the sample for vaporization before entering the column is avoided and decomposition of labile sample components is reduced to a minimum. The performances of two different on-column sampling techniques for quantitative analysis were compared. A new construction of an on-column sampling device for very low sample volumes (columns loads) is described, which allows for the introduction of volumes as low as a few nanolitres of samples into capillary columns.