Making the perfect (U)HPLC column connection
The fitting position in a UHPLC and HPLC system that is most frequently exposed to opening and closing is where the separation column itself is hosted. This is also one of the points within the instrument flow path where the pressure is at its maximum. Moreover, any extra void volumes or flow path anomalies, located in these positions between the sample injector and the detector, may impact the shape of the chromatographic peaks and thus influence the performance and robustness of the analysis results. All this place rather extreme demands on the performance and durability of the (U)HPLC column connections.
Since one (U)HPLC instrument typically is used for several different analysis methods, each likely having its own type of column, the fittings attaching the fluid tubing to the column may be opened and closed daily, or even more frequently. In a laboratory where each liquid chromatography system has multiple operators, the wear and tear on the fittings connecting the column is often even more challenging since over-tightening is more likely to occur.
Fortunately, Biotech Fluidics offers a solution to these problems; the MarvelXACT™ tubing assemblies. We are supplying these in lengths down to 100 mm and inner diameters as small as 100 µm, which help the user to minimize system void volumes that otherwise could impact analysis performance.
The MarvelXACT™ tubing assemblies comes with torque-limiting fittings that seal perfectly up to 1300 bar (19000 psi) into 10-32 column ports of all brands without any ferrules. The highly flexible 1/32” OD stainless steel tubing (with rigid 1/16” ends) between the pre-assembled fittings is easy to guide in the tight spaces that (U)HPLC instruments and column ovens often present. To learn more about the MarvelXACT™ tubing assemblies and their torque-limiting fitting system follow the link to the product pages, or contact Biotech Fluidics for additional guidance regarding column fittings within your (U)HPLC instrument.
