Yes, formic acid is generally compatible with borosilicate glass. There are two aspects that one needs to be mindful of when storing formic acid in glass vials or glass inserts: Formic acid gradually decomposes to carbon monoxide (CO) and water, building up pressure inside the container. The warmer the solution the faster the process. Therefore, […]
Category: Vials & Caps General FAQ
Is the PTFE in the AQR brand screw cap cast or skived – FAQ
The PTFE is “cast” for the AQR™ septa in the screw caps which includes our catalog number 9509S-10C-B as well as many other AQR brand screw and snap caps. It is much easier to control the quality of “cast” PTFE over the “skived” PTFE which results in much better reliability and performance from batch to batch. The […]
Is there a difference in chromatography performance between clear and amber RSA vials – FAQ
Except for the obvious, there is no difference between amber and clear RSA™ glass, chromatographically speaking. Regarding adsorption of basic analytes or effect of pH on sample diluent, we have not observed any differences from our QC testing and our R&D experiences. Typically one would choose amber over clear glass in situations where light-sensitive analytes […]
PFAS analysis using glass or plastic vials – Tips and Suggestions
In order to take the most accurate accurate analysis of PFAS special care must be taken for storage and sampling. Glass and also low-density polyethylene (LDPE) materials are not recommended for storing PFAS samples. PFAS can adsorb to glass, particularly when the chemicals are stored in a glass container for extended periods of time. Recommended […]
RSA-Pro X vial improve quantitation precision with HPLC – AppNote
RSA-Pro X™ – Hydrolytically stable hydrophobic glass vials & low volume glass inserts Silanol groups (Si-OH) on the surface of glass has been known to cause not only empirical quantitative loss but also inaccurate quantitation, vial to vial and run to run over time. Silanol sites are very reactive and can produce among other things, […]
Screw and Snap Cap Evaporation Studies
Evaporation of solvent from the autosampler vial can be a significant issue for samples that are left out for several days before analysis. The evaporation can change the concentration of analytes in solution and cause quantitative errors. For these reasons, it is important to know what factors affect evaporation. The volatility of the solvent is […]
Screw thread call out definition – Tech Information
What is a screw thread call-out for English fittings? This is a common system for describing the threading on a fitting or screw cap that uses the English method. The thread Call-Out normally consists of two numbers where the first number will refer to the diameter of the widest thread and the second one refers […]
Silanizing glass autosampler vial or inserts for surface deactivation – Tech Information
Deactivate glass autosampler vials and inserts to minimize adsorption of proteins, peptides and other compounds for laboratory use, a “coating” process using a silicone oil dispersed in a solvent is commonly used. This “mechanically” coated surface of the glass is commonly called “silanizing the glass”. All of MicroSolv’s deactivated glass is coated via an improved […]
Silicone rubber in septa for autosampler vials vary in the way it is made – Tech Information
Silicone rubber is the backbone of most modern septa for chromatography autosampler vial caps. But the way the silicone is made will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and even within the same manufacturer or brand. During the manufacturing process, silicone rubber must be “cured” when it is cross-linked to produce the desired physical properties needed […]
Standard silicone pre slit sealing mat compared to solvent resistant mat – FAQ
Comparison of 96 well sealing mats, silicone rubber v. chemical resistant U-2D mats. Silicone rubber mats should only be used with pure aqueous and buffer solutions. The solvent resistant mat can be used with methanol, acetonitrile and water / buffers. These should not be used with non-polar solvents or aggressive acid or base such as […]
Use Teflon bottles for A and B solvents in negative ion mode LCMS – Tips & Suggestions
You will want to have both your A and B solvents (aqueous and organic) in Teflon mobile phase reservoir bottles. The reason for using these bottles is that sodium present in borosilicate glass mobile phase reservoirs can lead to issues for anionic analytes in negative ion mode LCMS. These include phosphates and organic acids but […]
Washing and reusing autosampler vials effect on HPLC data – Tech Information
It has been reported that some laboratories may try to save money by washing their used autosampler vials and reusing them. However, these products are designed to be disposable and reuse can cause numerous QC issues, such as contaminant peaks, sample loss, and physical deformations on the glass surface. Below a clear, clean vial shows virtually no […]
What are Soft Guard caps and septa – FAQ
Soft-Guard™ cap septa are used in HPLC, GC, LCMS or GCMS for autosampler vials when a quality value is desired. Soft-Guard™ septa are made with a unique formulation of high purity silicone rubber and cast PTFE to minimize extractables often found in septa that can cause interfering peaks which lowers the quality of your data. […]
What are the dead volumes of the MRQ and Fused Insert autosampler vials – FAQ
For both of these autosampler vials, the general residual volume is about 2 μL. The dead volume is analogous to residual volume.
What are the differences between 33 and 51 expansion glass and which should I choose – FAQ
Our MicroSolv brand vials are made from SCHOTT® brand glass tubing, of first hydrolytic class. First hydrolytic class glass is very hard and has a low expansion coefficient, even when large variations in manufacturing temperatures are observed. It has an excellent chemical resistance to acidic, neutral and relatively low alkaline solutions. Clear glass of first […]
What are the temperature and pressure limits for amber glass autosampler vials – FAQ
Amber glass vials are manufactured with 51-expansion, borosilicate glass, and according to the recommended exposure this glass is rated to 230°C for normal service or 490°C for extreme service. Please always verify the temperature limits of caps and septa, as each material will have different specifications. We do not recommend pressurizing autosampler vials above 1 […]
What are the temperature specifications of the autosampler vial storage boxes and caps (catalog # 9504SB-03)?
This item is temperature resistant in the range -80°C to +100°C. Click HERE for Storage Box for 15x45mm autosampler vial Ordering Information.
What does Residual Volume mean with Autosampler Vials?
The syringe needle of an autosampler does not go all the way to the bottom of a vial during injection, and therefore some sample will always remain in the vial. This is referred to as the Residual Volume of the Autosampler Vial. Some Vials have a tapered bottom for example, which decreases the Residual Volume. […]
What does the specification 9-425mm for screw top autosampler vials mean – FAQ
The first number refers to the “Major Diameter” of the screw thread, (Major Diameter is the OD / outside diameter of the screw top vial (not the OD of the vial) at the thread line, measuring on the outside of the threads, minor diameter is the smaller diameter, measuring OD between the threads). We use […]
What Force is Required for a Needle to Pierce a Septa in your Autosampler Caps?
The MicroSolv Brand, 9mm Screw Cap Requires 3.1 pounds of Force to Puncture. The MSQ™ Brand Silicone/PTFE Septa requires 3.8 pounds of Force to Puncture.
What is a pyrogen – FAQ
The definition according to answers.com is “A pyrogen is defined as a fever-producing agent. Pyrogens are substances that cause febrile reactions when sufficient amounts enter the circulatory system. Bacterial endotoxin is the most significant pyrogen because of its potency and ubiquity.”
What is the advantage or disadvantage of using Certified autosampler vials compared to MicroSolv vials – FAQ
Because vials are marketed as “Certified” does not change the quality of a vial or cap simply by supplying a certificate. Testing procedures for every type of sample and for every application/analysis method cannot be performed economically. Therefore, even certified vials may not produce the assurance they claim to offer, only producing additional costs. MicroSolv […]
What is the Difference between 45 Shore A and 55 Shore A Septa?
“Shore” is a measure of the hardness of a material, named after Albert F. Shore. The letter designates the “scale,” which specifies what type of substance is described. In this case, A refers to flexible mold rubbers/plastics. The numbers go from 0 to 100, with 0 being the softest and 100 being the hardest. Hence, cap septa with […]
What is the difference between RSA-Pro and the new RSA-Pro X surface treatments – FAQ
The biggest difference is that RSA-Pro™ surface treatment incorporated a vapor deposition type process that used ionic bonds with silanes to achieve hydrophobicity of the RSA glass and the RSA-Pro X™ surface treatment uses a very different, proprietary process of covalently bonding hydrophobic materials to the walls of RSA™ vials. The RSA-Pro™ treatment is not […]
What is the difference in specifications between Type 33 and Type N51A expansion borosilicate glass vials?
There is an ASTM method that exists and defines what properties the glass must have in order to be called 33 or 51. Ions Type I Class A clear glass(33) Type I Amber (51) Na 0.3-0.5 0.4-1.4 K ND ND-0.02 Ca ND ND-0.1 Mg ND Al ND ND-0.5 Fe ND ND Ba ND ND-0.2 […]
What is the functional difference between the MRQ and the Max Recovery autosampler vials – FAQ
Both vials are designed so that the maximum recovery of precious samples can be achieved without the use of vial inserts. The difference between the two is important when different autosamplers with different types of needles are installed. MRQ™ can be used with side port needles such as in the Waters™ WISP© or with bottom port needles […]
What is the internal diameter of the opening for 8mm crimp top BASIK brand autosampler vials – FAQ
The ID of the opening for 8mm crimp top MicroSolv BASIK vials, catalog numbers 9508C-FB08-CV, 9508C-FB12-CV, and 9508C-FB12-AV is 4.0mm +/-0.2.
What is the main difference between ordinary and LCMS compatible polypropylene vials – FAQ
The differences between item 9532S-0PV and 9532S-MS is that item 9532S-MS is made from a special type of polypropylene and we do not use “mold release agents” in the molding process making it less likely to have any extractables or leachables under any circumstance. Acetonitrile is likely to remove existing mold release agents which can show up in chromatograms […]
What is the maximum temperature for headspace screw caps with aluminum foil septa – FAQ
The maximum safe operating temperature for these headspace caps is 220°C. All of our metal magnetic screw caps are designed for headspace analysis and are fabricated for proper fit with the MicroSolv™ brand screw top headspace vials. These headspace caps are unique in this aspect as they are allowed to accept this high temperature due […]
What is the pressure rating of MicroSolv headspace vials and caps – FAQ
Headspace vials are designed to withstand a small amount of internal pressure, therefore all MicroSolv brand headspace vials have a wall thickness of 1.2mm for added safety, thus it is assured that the vial will not burst. Contrary to popular belief, the seal and not the vial represents the weakest part of the entire system. Under […]
What is the purpose of a partial slit septa?
The partial slit septa offers both a penetration aid for thick and dull needles plus prevents evaporation resulting in concentration changes. Only the silicone rubber is cut, the PTFE is not pre cut acting as an evaporation barrier.
What is the useable Volume in 2mL Autosampler Vials? – FAQ
A vial that is listed as 2mL is defined as the entire fill volume, with no headspace when the cap is secured. In practice though, a sample solution cannot contain this much volume because of displacement caused by the syringe needle during injection causing the autosampler to inaccurately withdraw the solution. For this reason, a […]
What makes glass borosilicate glass?
The glass material must contain at least 5% boron oxide to be termed “borosilicate glass”. Other types of glass with less than 5% is often called flint glass or sodium glass.
What precautions are used in the assembly of your vial and cap kits to prevent contamination – FAQ
All of our vials and caps are manufactured in carefully controlled conditions to prevent introduction of contaminants to the product. Assembly into kits is performed using powder free gloves and hair nets in a clean room by trained technicians. Click HERE for autosampler vial ordering information and pictures.
What tests are performed to assure the fit of the vials and components – FAQ
Functional tests are performed to further ensure that the vial does not only fit the instrument, but also all the components that might be connected to it, i.e. limited volume inserts, seals, etc… A correct analysis can only be carried out if the whole unit of vial (Micro-Insert) and closure harmonize with each other and […]
What type of autosampler vial can be used with metal crimp caps – FAQ
Use a serum finish vial with crimp caps! While MicroSolv sells 3 types of vial closures for vials; screw thread, snap top and crimp top it is crimp caps that will provide the most effective seal when used with a serum finish vial. Crimped vials ensure the best long term seal. Click HERE for crimp […]
When to use snap caps vs screw caps preventing evaporation – FAQ
Snap caps are chosen strictly for convenience in ease of applying the cap to the vial, such as in the case of capping hundreds of samples at a time. Screw caps on the other hand provide a better seal (when the cap is properly matched to the vial threading) and is therefore more reliable. An important thing to consider […]
Which crimp cap is most commonly used for residual solvent testing by the pharmaceutical industry – FAQ
The crimp cap with silicone rubber / PTFE septa is most used by the pharmaceutical industry to be in compliance with USP <467>. Our catalog number 95025-09-1S is one of many caps used. Click HERE for more information about Headspace vials and caps
Which crimp caps and septa are suitable for use with Solid Phase Micro Extraction SPME vials – FAQ
Solid Phase Micro Extraction (SPME) is a technique in which a short fiber coated with a sorbent or polymer quantitatively extracts analytes from a sample matrix. The fiber is then sent to the injector of an instrument such as a Gas Chromatograph (GC) where desorption of the analytes occurs. For this reason, thin septa are highly recommended […]
Which rack should I use for 20mL vials – FAQ
The MicroSolv catalog number you will need for 20mL vials is 95040-SB1: “Storage Box / Rack with cover, PP, for 20ml EPA / VOA vials, violet, 130mm x 130mm x 102mm. 16 cavities.” There is also a rack suitable for headspace autosampler vials. The part number here is 95025-SB: “Storage Box / Rack with cover, […]
Which type of vial do you recommend to use with the U-2D Micro Sample Management inserts – FAQ
We recommend our line of AQ™ brand 9mm screw top or snap top vials which are manufactured to mate precisely the vial’s inner dimensions and the inserts length and outer dimensions, offering maximum performance unmatched by anyone for quality control and the specs required for consistent performance. Other brands of standard wide-opening 9mm 12x32mm screw […]
Which vial type should I use for a low volume sample study of proteins – FAQ
Some compounds adsorb to borosilicate glass due to hydroxyl groups / silanols on the glass surface and others adsorb due to hydrophobic interaction with the glass itself. Deactivated (surface treated) RSA-Pro X™ vials offer the best glass options for you since the surface treatment is more complete than any other glass vial available and the […]
Which vials compatible with SPME – FAQ
The following two items are compatible with Solid Phase Micro-Extraction (SPME): Catalog # 95020-45S-T: Magnetic Screw Cap for Headspace. Silver, 8mm Center Hole, Silicone Transparent Blue/PTFE White, 45 Shore A, 1.3mm Thick. Precision Threads. 100/PK. Catalog # 95010-0CV: Vials, head space, 10ml, 46 x 22.5mm, screw top, clear borosilicate glass, round bottom. CTC Compliant. Precision threads 100/PK. However, the […]
Why are the same Autosampler Vials Listed as 2mL, 1.8mL, 1.5mL by different suppliers?
There are a number of ways to consider the volume of a Vial. One way is if you fill the vial all the way up until there is no headspace when the cap is secured. You could call this a 2mL vial. In practice though, a sample should not contain this much volume because of […]