Waters µStyragel Column - Manual (Page 2)

[ Care and Use ManUal ]
µStyragel Column 2
Band Spreading
There is a small degree of band spreading due to mechanical causes
inherent in any chromatographic system. Connections, tubing, and
equipment performance all contribute to instrument band spreading.
It is important to know the degree of instrument band spreading in
your system.
Before installing the column, measure your system’s instrument band
spreading (see Section V., Testing Band Spreading). If this test is not
possible with your system, refer to your system operator’s manual.
b. Connecting the Column to the GPC System
Handle the column with care. Do not drop or hit the column on a hard
surface as it may disturb the bed and affect its performance.
1. Correct connection of 1/16-inch outer diameter stainless steel
tubing leading to and from the column is essential for high-
quality chromatographic results.
2. When using standard stainless steel compression screw fittings,
it is important to ensure proper fit of the 1/16-inch outer diam-
eter stainless steel tubing. When tightening or loosening the
compression screw, place a 5/16-inch wrench on the compres-
sion screw and a 3/8-inch wrench on the hex head of the column
endfitting.
Note: If one of the wrenches is placed on the column flat during this
process, the endfitting will be loosened and leak.
3. If a leak occurs between the stainless steel compression screw
fitting and the column endfitting, a new compression screw
fitting, tubing and ferrule must be assembled.
4. An arrow on the column identification label indicates correct
direction of solvent flow.
Column Connectors
Due to the absence of an industry standard, various column manu-
facturers have employed different styles of chromatographic column
connectors. The chromatographic performance of your separation can
be negatively affected if the style of your column endfittings do not
match the existing instrumentation tubing ferrule setting.
The two styles of endfittings differ by the length of tubing that
protrudes from the ferrule. Parker style endfittings require a
0.090-inchferrule depth. Waters style endfittings (e.g., µStyragel)
require a 0.130-inch ferrule depth. Examples of each endfitting are
given below.
Figure 1: Waters Ferrule Setting Figure 2: Parker Ferulle Settings
In a proper tubing/column connection the tubing touches the bottom
of the column endfitting with no void between them.
Figure 3: Proper Tubing/Column Connection
c. Connecting Columns in Series
When connecting columns in series, use the 0.009-inch (0.25
mm) i.d. U-shaped column joining tube supplied with each column.
Guidelines for columns with different pore sizes when using columns
of different pore sizes in series:
• Place the 100Å column last in the series to minimize pres-
sure pulses likely to result from highly viscous samples.
• Place the 10 6 Å column as the last column in a series,
except when using it in conjunction with a 100Å column.
If you use these columns together, place the 100Å column
last and the 100Å column next to last. For analytical
separations, the remaining columns can be put in any order.
• When operating in the preparative mode, connect columns
in order of decreasing pore size (105Е, 104Е, 100Е,
500Е) to achieve maximum loading.
0.130 inches
0.090 inches