VICI tubing

VICI metal and polymeric tubing

Cutting and cleaning
The improper cutting and cleaning of metal tubing is the largest single cause of chromatographic problems and premature valve failure. The use of VICI precision cut and finished tubing, together with their fittings and valves, maintains the flow uniformity and cleanliness that high performance systems require. VICI electrolytic cutting process yields polished tubing with flat ends, minimizing the potential for dead volumes or leaks caused by the uneven ends and burrs left by the tools common in the general laboratory environment – wire cutters, files, jewelers’ saws, and most tubing cutters. These non-precision cutters are likely to generate particulates and deform inner and outer diameters, which can introduce dead volume and flow anomalies. Each piece of VICI pre-cut metal tubing is specially cleaned with micro-filtered steam from deionized water to remove both organic and inorganic contaminants, representing a major improvement over the common practice of using organic solvents to “clean” tubing.

Electroformed nickel tubing
VICI microbore EFNi tubing is made by electroplating nickel over a diamond-drawn mandrel in a continuous process. When the mandrel is removed, an internal surface with a mirror-like 1-2 micro inch finish remains. The ductile nature of nickel allows the tubing to be easily manipulated. Unlike glass- or silica-lined stainless, EFNi can accept tight bends and cutting without heating, and does not release damaging glass fragments or silica particles. In comparison with mill-drawn Nickel 200 tubing, VICI’s EFNi does not have any potential for carryover or cross contamination, and contains no pits, voids, striations, and particles.

Nickel-clad PEEK and fused silica tubing
VICI electrochemically plates PEEK and fused silica tubing with pure nickel. This strengthens the tubing and allows direct connections using metal ferrules while maintaining the chemical benefits of the wetted surfaces inside.

Nickel-clad fused silica
- Inert, flexible transfer lines
- Improved heat transfer
- Thick wall version allows direct connection using metal ferrules
- Rated for up to 40,000 psi (dependant on size and plating thickness)
VICI takes polyimide-coated fused silica (FS) and remove the polyimide layer. Then they electrochemically plate the FS with pure nickel. The resulting nickel-plated FS tube provides superior heat transfer to the FS lining, permitting use as a flexible transfer line with the best qualities of silica-lined stainless but with improved heat transfer and a shorter bend radius.

Nickel-clad polyimide-coated fused silica
- Thin wall version for resistive heating offers improved heat transfer as compared to wire-wrapped designs
- Thin wall version results in column packages with even less mass, critical when temperature measurement is based on the change in resistance
Any polyimide-coated FS can be electroplated with pure nickel. This results in a ruggedized traditional FS column (or transfer line with deactivated FS), which can be resistively heated, if desired. Temperature is measured using the resistance of the nickel, removing any need for external sensors. A thin-wall, low mass version optimized for resistive heat applications is available in eight different diameters. Several options are available for tubing connections.

Nickel-clad PEEK
- Permits use of PEEK tubing at 30,000 psi
- Direct connection with metal ferrules
Since VICI can manufacture virtually any size of PEEK tubing from 360 μm OD/ .002” ID on up, the possibilities are endless. In any size, the mechanical properties of nickel combined with the chemical properties of PEEK produce enhanced performance with robust metal ferrule connections.

Natural PEEK tubing
PEEK tubing has the strength required to withstand continuous use at HPLC pressure without swelling or bursting, and is not affected by halide salts, high strength buffers, or other aggressive mobile phases that corrode stainless steel. The polymer surface will not leach metal ions into the eluent or extract metal-sensitive components from the sample. Note, however, that dichloromethane, THF, and DMSO may cause swelling in PEEK, and concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid will attack PEEK.

Color-coded PEEK tubing
Color-coded tubing helps you identify the ID of your PEEK tubing – each ID is coded with a different color. Use this tubing where maximum chemical resistance and biocompatibility are required.

PTFE, FEP, and ETFE tubing
Polymeric tubing is square cut and ready to use.

Pre-cut stainless tubing
These packages of pre-cut Type 316 stainless tubing provide an economical solution to the problems that are caused by “seat-of-the-pants” cutting in the lab or field. All tubing is electrolytically cut and specially steam-cleaned with microfiltered steam from deionized water, which removes both organic and inorganic contaminants.