GC vial caps are small caps or closures used to seal sample vials for gas chromatography analysis. They are designed to provide a tight and secure seal in order to prevent evaporation or contamination of the sample within the vial. The integrity of the sample directly affects the accuracy of GC analysis, as well as the reproducibility of the experiment. GC vial caps come in a variety of sizes and other customizations to fit different types of GC vials and analysis applications. The most common types of GC vial caps include: screw caps, crimp caps, snap caps, and push-on caps. The type of cap used will depend on the specific requirements of the GC analysis and the type of sample being analyzed.
What is gas chromatography?
Gas chromatography (GC) is an analytical technique that separates, identifies, and quantifies the components of a complex mixture. As a sample passes through the chromatographic column, its individual components are isolated based on their physical and chemical properties. Gas chromatography was first discovered in 1941 by two scientists who were trying to figure out the composition of a plant oil mixture. The process was refined in 1952 by Erika Cremer, an American chemist—whose modifications made the process more effective and widely applicable.
The chromatography process begins with the sample being introduced into the gas chromatography instrument, which is made up of a sample injector, a column, a detector, and a data analysis system. The sample is injected into the column, which is usually packed with a stationary phase—typically a polymer or silica-based material. The column is then heated, which vaporizes the sample and moves it through the column. As the sample moves through the column, it interacts with the stationary phase, which separates the samples into its components. The separation factors can be anything from boiling point to polarity to molecular weight. After the separation, the detector—a mass spectrometer, for example—produces a signal proportional to the amount of each component. Data from the detection goes into the computer system for analysis, which produces a chromatogram that shows the results in peak areas that relate to the quantity of each component.
Gas chromatography is a widely used analytical technique in various fields, including chemistry, biology, environmental science, and materials science. It is frequently used in quality control, research and development, and forensic analysis.
ILT’s Chromatography Products
ILT currently offers a variety of pre-assembled lined caps specifically manufactured for use in chromatography, available in different sizes, colors, and materials, and thicknesses. The product catalog includes crimp caps, snap caps, bonded screw caps, assembled screw caps, and a selection of septa. All products are tested in ILT’s onsite laboratory to ensure quality control. The dedication to meeting the highest standards in the industries of manufacturing and material science is what keeps ILT at the forefront of global production for lined caps.
Read more about the seals and septa industry on our blog page or learn more about ILT, the world leader in manufacturing seals and septa here.
