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Quickfit

Glassware used to be connected together using corks and bungs. However, this was not particularly successful, and leaks of gases and vapours were common. Quickfit is the commercial name for modern glassware which is made with ground glass joints. These fit together quickly and easily (hence the name) and give gas tight seals provided they are properly inserted. They also have the advantage that, unlike corks and bungs, they do not burn if they get too hot.

A Quickfit joint held together by a plastic clip

The joints come in a variety of sizes and therefore it is important that you choose glassware with the same joint sizes. The joints should be lightly greased before assembly in order that they may be easily pulled apart after heating. Only a very light greasing is required. Quickfit has the disadvantage that it is very expensive, so care should be taken to ensure all the glassware is carefully and securely clamped in place. Do not rely on the grease holding items of Quickfit together (use clips, if available). Gravity often beats the grease, particularly when it is heated and softens.

Don't overgrease - this is enough!

A dry Quickfit joint

A greased Quickfit joint

The following is a series of pictures of commonly used pieces of Quickfit with their correct names (they are not all on the same scale!):

A dropping funnel - for adding liquids

An expansion adapter - allows different joint size glassware to be attached

DROPPING FUNNEL

EXPANSION ADAPTER

A Liebig condenser - for condensation

A pear-shaped flask - a reaction vessel

LIEBIG CONDENSER

PEAR SHAPED FLASK

A plain bend - for delivering liquids

A round bottomed flask - a reaction vessel

PLAIN BEND

ROUND BOTTOMED FLASK

A stillhead - connects flask, condenser and thermometer

A stopper - fairly obvious!, but never completely seal heated glass apparatus

STILL HEAD

STOPPER

A thermometer sleeve - holds a thermometer

vacuum grease

THERMOMETER SLEEVE

VACUUM GREASE


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