Sample handling

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Vial Selection Guide
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  • Type 1, Class A Borosillicate Glass
    The most chemically-inert glass available, generally used in high precision labs to prevent alteration of test results. It has an expansion coefficient of approximately 33x10–7/°C and is composed primarily of silicon and oxygen, with trace amounts of boron and sodium.
  • Type 1, Class B Borosillicate Glass
    More alkaline than Class A glass and is adequate for many laboratory uses. It has an expansion coefficient of 51x10–7/°C and is composed primarily of silicon and oxygen with trace amounts of boron. All amber glassware is Type 1, Class B.
  • NEW Deactivated Glass (DV)
    For glass-sensitive compounds. Glass vials are treated with gas phase reactive organosilane to produce a hydrophobic glass surface. Vials treated by this procedure can be stored indefinitely. To order deactivated vials add DV to the end of the standard Waters vials part number.
  • Polypropylene Plastic
    A nonionic, non reactive plastic. It can be used where even Class A and B glass are inappropriate. Polypropylene vials can be incinerated while still sealed, minimizing exposure to potentially hazardous substances. Maximum temperature use: 135°C.
 

 
Septa Selection Guide
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  • PTFE Septa
    Recommended for single injection applications. Ideal for use in MS applications. Excellent solvent resistance and chemical compatibility rating. Does not reseal upon puncturing. Not recommended for long-term sample storage.
  • PTFE/Silicone Septa
    Recommended for multiple injections and sample storage. Demonstrates excellent resealing characteristics. PTFE chemical resistance until punctured, then the septa will have chemical compatibility of silicone. Working temperature range of –40°C to 200°C.
  • Preslit PTFE/Silicone Septa
    Provides for adequate venting to prevent vacuum formation in sample vial, delivering excellent sample-draw reproducibility. Eliminates coring from bottom draw-port needles. Good resealing capabilities. Recommended for multiple injections. PTFE chemical resistance until punctured, then the septa will have chemical compatibility of silicone. Working temperature range of –40°C to 200°C.
     

 
Choosing the Right Vials
  • Needle Design
  • Draw-port Location
  • Autosampler Tray Design
  • Robotics
  • Venting
Factors such as detection method, mobile phase, analyte structure and volatility play an important role in determining the appropriate vial and septa for your application. To aid you in choosing the appropriate product, we have outlined the strengths and weaknesses for the various materials of construction used in manufacturing sample vials and septa to help you choose the appropriate product.
Vials are the least expensive component of your HPLC system, but can be the biggest contributor to problems that you encounter such as:
  • Mechanical problems
    • Sample draw volume reproducibility
    • Septum dislodging or coring
    • Injector damage / Robotics malfunction
    • Excessive residual sample volumes
  • Chemical problems
    • Evaporative loss
    • Extra peaks / extractables
    • Sample / analyte degradation
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