Which solvents and chemicals are safe in quartz cuvettes — and which destroy glued cells. Includes a compatibility table and when to specify sintered or one-piece cells.
Fused silica (JGS1) itself withstands almost every solvent and acid except hydrofluoric acid (HF). The real limitation is the fabrication method: standard glued (cemented) cells use an organic adhesive that can be attacked by strong solvents, hot acids or alkalis.
| Solvent / chemical | Glued (cemented) cell | Sintered / one-piece cell |
|---|---|---|
| Water, buffers, dilute salts | OK | OK |
| Ethanol, methanol, isopropanol | OK (brief exposure) | OK |
| Acetone, DMSO, chloroform | Use with care | OK |
| Dilute acids (<5%) | OK | OK |
| Concentrated acids / hot acids | Avoid | OK (check grade) |
| Strong alkali (hot NaOH) | Avoid | OK (care) |
| Hydrofluoric acid (HF) | Never | Never |
scuvette standard cells are specified "neutral samples only": aqueous, mildly acidic or neutral buffers at room temperature. If your method uses organic solvents, DMSO, strong acids or high temperature, ask for the sintered or one-piece moulded option — we make those to order with the same JGS1 optics.
Brief rinses are usually fine for glued cells; prolonged soaking is not. For routine acetone use, specify sintered cells.
DMSO can soften adhesive over time. Rinse promptly, or use sintered cells for DMSO methods.
Solvent fluorescence is a measurement problem, not a damage problem. Ensure the solvent is fluorescence-grade and the cell is JGS1 low-autofluorescence.
Related: Cuvette Care Guide · Path Length Guide · Size Calculator · Path Length Calculator · Brand Alternatives · Contact Scuvette
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