In the world of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), the choice of autosampler vial septa can have a significant impact on the quality and reliability of your analytical results. One type of septa that has grown in popularity in recent years is the bonded cap septa. These specialised septa offer a number of benefits that make them the preferred choice for many HPLC laboratories.
Bonded cap septa are a type of septa where the PTFE/silicone material is chemically or mechanically bonded to the cap or crimp seal of the autosampler vial. This bonding process creates a tighter, more secure seal than traditional non-bonded septa, which can be prone to leakage or displacement during sample injection or vial handling. The bonded construction helps prevent the septa from being pushed out of the vial by the autosampler needle, ensuring a consistent and reliable seal throughout the analysis.
The bonded construction of these septa provides a more robust and reliable seal, reducing the risk of sample leakage or contamination. The tight seal helps maintain sample integrity and prevents loss or degradation of analytes.
Bonded cap septa are less prone to coring, which can occur when the autosampler needle punctures the septum, creating small pieces of material that can interfere with sample analysis. Coring can lead to blockages in the HPLC system, distorting analytical results and potentially causing instrument damage. The bonded design of the septa minimises the risk of coring.
Bonded cap septa can often be reused multiple times without significant loss of seal integrity, making them a more cost-effective option compared to single-use septa. This can be particularly beneficial for laboratories with high sample throughput or those working with valuable or limited sample volumes.
The secure seal and reduced coring of bonded cap septa make them well suited for use in automated HPLC systems where vial handling and sample injection are performed by robotic autosamplers. The consistent performance of bonded cap septa helps to ensure reliable and reproducible results even in highly automated workflows.
Bonded Cap Septa are available in a range of materials, sizes and configurations to suit different HPLC instrument types and sample requirements. This versatility allows users to select the most appropriate septa for their specific application, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.
When selecting bonded cap septa for your HPLC autosampler vials, consider the following factors:
Ensure that the septa material is compatible with your sample solvents and analytes to avoid interactions or contamination that could affect your analytical results.
Match septa size and design to the specific autosampler vials used in your HPLC system to ensure proper fit and seal.
Thicker septa can provide a more robust seal but may require higher autosampler needle forces, so consider your specific instrument requirements and sample properties to select the optimum septum thickness.
Determine if your workflow and sample types allow for the reuse of bonded cap septa to maximise cost effectiveness and sustainability.
By incorporating bonded cap septa into your HPLC workflow, you can enjoy the benefits of improved seal integrity, reduced coring and improved compatibility with automated systems, ultimately leading to more reliable and reproducible analytical results.