HPLC and LC/MS

High-Pressure PEEK Tough Connectors

GL Sciences' PEEK Tough Connectors are technically designed for high-performance liquid chromatography, offering a maximum operating pressure of 21.5 MPa through simple finger tightening. These connectors utilize a high-purity PEEK resin that provides excellent chemical tolerance across a pH range of 1 to 14, excluding only specific concentrated acids and solvents like THF or chloroform. Technically, the 10-32 UNF threading ensures compatibility with standard receiving ports, while the integrated design minimizes the risk of tube slippage under pressure, which is vital for maintaining consistent flow rates in gradient elutions.

Super Tough Stainless Steel Fittings

For ultra-high-pressure applications, the Super Tough Connectors combine a stainless steel nut and collet with a resin ferrule. This technical configuration allows for a pressure resistance of up to 41.3 MPa with hand tightening. The resin ferrule is technically advantageous as it grips the tubing securely without causing permanent deformation or "swaging" of the tube. This allows the connector to be reused multiple times across different column end-fittings without compromising the zero-dead-volume seal, which is a common failure point in conventional stainless steel ferrules.

Precision PEEK and Stainless Steel Tubing

The technical optimization of extra-column volume is achieved through the use of precision-cut tubing. GL Sciences offers PEEK tubing with color-coded tags to distinguish internal diameters without the risk of pigment leaching from colored tube bodies. Technically, the internal surfaces are manufactured to be ultra-smooth to reduce frictional heat and minimize sample dispersion. For LC/MS applications, bio-inert PEEK-sil tubing (PEEK-clad fused silica) provides the chemical inertness of glass with the mechanical strength of polymer, ensuring that sensitive analytes do not interact with metallic surfaces.

Inline and Pre-column Filtration Systems

To safeguard the analytical column from particulate accumulation, GL Sciences provides ultra-sealed and ultra-low volume pre-column filters. Technically, these filters are designed to be placed directly before the column inlet to trap debris from the sample or seal wear from the pump. By utilizing filters with internal volumes as low as 0.5 µL, these accessories provide protection without introducing significant band broadening. The use of stainless steel or PTFE housing ensures compatibility with diverse chemical environments and high-pressure operation.

Solvent Management and Air Removal

Technical stability in chromatography requires a gas-free mobile phase. GL Sciences offers inlet solvent filters and air removal attachment kits that prevent bubbles from entering the fluidic path. These filters are technically designed with high-surface-area porous materials to maximize filtration efficiency while maintaining low flow resistance. By ensuring a steady supply of degassed solvent to the pump, these accessories minimize pressure pulsations and baseline fluctuations, which are critical for achieving low limits of detection (LOD) in trace analysis.

Micro Splitter and Peak Shut-off Valves

For complex LC/MS workflows, GL Sciences provides micro splitter valves and peak shut-off valves. Technically, the micro splitter allows for the precise division of the eluent stream between multiple detectors or collection ports with minimal dead volume. The peak shut-off valve is technically integrated to divert unwanted matrix components or high-concentration solvent peaks away from the mass spectrometer source. This protective measure extends the maintenance intervals of the MS interface and prevents detector saturation during high-throughput analysis.

UHPLC Connection Systems (MarvelX)

The MarvelX and MarvelXACT connection systems represent the technical pinnacle of UHPLC fluidics. These systems feature a unique sealing technology that ensures a perfectly flush connection to any receiving port, regardless of the internal depth. Technically, the design eliminates the "gap" that typically causes dead volume and peak tailing. These connections are rated for pressures up to 140 MPa and are designed for high durability, allowing for hundreds of reconnects without the loss of sealing integrity, making them ideal for rapid method development.

Specialized Column Couplers

Connecting guard columns to analytical columns requires a technical solution that prevents extra-column dispersion. GL Sciences' column couplers are designed with a zero-dead-volume architecture that maintains the integrity of the peak profile as it transitions between column beds. Available in PEEK and stainless steel versions, these couplers are technically optimized for both conventional HPLC and high-speed UHPLC. The hand-tightened design allows for quick changes while ensuring that the connection remains secure up to 50 MPa.

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