Postnova Shortix tubing cutter for fused silica capillary

Fused silica capillary cutter

The cutting of fused silica capillary is the most sensitive part in chromatography. These capillaries are complex, technically sophisticated devices composed of up to three layers (fused silica tubing, polyimide coating and sometimes a stationary phase material).

Each layer has unique properties and is important for the performance of the column. Uneven cuts through these layers can cause unwanted chemical interactions of the sample with one of the 2 layers on the outside. Furthermore, polyimide fragments and fused-silica particles can block the flow through the column.

A perfect cut of fused silica tubing is essential in gas chromatography and probably even more so in CE and CEC. As in chromatography separations, in CE and CEC the column may be a source for poor peak shape and plate numbers.

The Shortix is very simple to use. When the column is inserted into the cutter, it is immobilized by tightening a locking wheel on the top of the device. With the rotation of the cutter wheel, the surface of the column is cut precisely with a diamond blade. The blade cuts through the polyimide coating and scores the fused silica layer of the column. The tool creates a clean, straight cut that is 90° to the axis of the column.

Features:

• Cuts 100 - 500 um ID capillaries, 780 um OD maximum
• Built-in lense to verify square cut
• Improved reproducibility of analytical results
• A perfect cut with diamond blade
• Easy and fast to use, saves time and money
• The black Shortix is usually recommended for GC, as there the wall thickness is thinner
• The 2 cutter versions differ in the load of the internal spring pressing the diamond on the capillary