I have a question about possible hairline crack symptoms during a distillation.
A three-way adapter dropped. Thermometer broken: ok, replaced. Small chip on the top lip, where the thermometer typically goes, but the teflon themometer adapter gasket fits well under that, no perceived problem there. After the drop, there were some bubbles observed at the adapter/reaction flask joint. Cleaned up the joints, regreased, no obvious leaks. However, now, when distilling, the reflux front gets to the adapter/reaction flask joint, then takes approx an hour to go further. Eventually the distillation does get done, but it is taking much higher heat plate settings, faster spin rates, and about twice as long. Vacuum is typical of pre-incident levels, and steady. Indeed the vacuum is the same as if one were to block the tubing withour hooking up to glassware.
Is the adapter cracked? Can there be an "invisible" crack? Could a crack cause these symptoms? Is reality breaking down? I hate it when that happens, I prefer it to be enhanced. Anyone care to venture a cause and solution?