Restek SilTite MicroUnion Connector for 0.25 to 0.25 mm ID Columns

Description

Restek SilTite micro-Union Capillary Column Connector Kit – For 0.18 mm to 0.25 mm ID Fused Silica GC Columns, Deactivated Metal, Zero Dead-Volume (MPN: 23885)

The Restek 23885 (also cataloged as cat.# 23885) is a premium, high-precision gas chromatography (GC) capillary column connector kit engineered to establish permanent, leak-free joints between fused silica analytical columns, guard columns, and retention gaps. Optimized for standard capillary lines spanning from 0.18 mm to 0.25 mm Inner Diameter (ID), this microfluidic union serves as a robust, high-performance alternative to traditional glass press-fit connectors. Machined from deactivated metal alloy to safeguard surface inertness, the micro-Union features a specialized zero-dead-volume interior structure that preserves pristine chromatographic peak shapes. Utilizing integrated SilTite FingerTite mechanical torque technology, this assembly maintains tight physical sealing margins across extreme thermal ramping ranges without throwing gas leaks or contributing to background mass spectrometry signal noise.

Technical Performance and Design

• Inert Deactivated Metal Fluid Path: The inner metallic core surfaces undergo an advanced chemical deactivation processing step. This active layer neutralizes potential adsorption sites, preventing active compound tailing or catalytic degradation of highly polar target analytes during runtime passes.

• Zero Dead-Volume Peak Integrity: Precision internal architecture aligns the cut faces of the fused silica columns flush against a specialized internal ferrule stop. This design completely eliminates structural fluid pockets and vortex dead zones, preventing peak broadening, sample carryover tailing, and split anomalies.

• Thermal and Pressure Ramp Stability: Unlike traditional glass press-tight splices that can separate or shift during aggressive oven heating or high pneumatic pressures, this metal-swaged system is completely stable throughout intense temperature profiling parameters, making it highly effective for GC-MS workflows.

• SilTite FingerTite Swaging System: Includes matching double-taper metal ferrules and dedicated manual tightening tools. The physical thread mechanics allow the user to easily create a permanent, gas-tight mechanical seal with precise fingertip adjustments without deploying heavy analytical hand wrenches.

Product Specifications

• Catalog Number / MPN: 23885

• Manufacturer / Brand: Restek Corporation

• Fitting Module Line: SilTite micro-Union (u-Union) Series

• Column Compatibility Range: Accommodates 0.18 mm to 0.25 mm Internal Diameter (ID) standard fused silica capillary tubing

• Material Composition: Deactivated Stainless Steel body paired with SilTite metal alloy ferrules

• Chromatography Field Alignment: Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

• Kit Package Components: Every factory box contains 2 complete micro-Union connectors (male and female end fittings), 5 double-taper replacement metal ferrules, and a complete set of dedicated installation adapter tools

Key Benefits and Applications

• Guard Column and Retention Gap Splicing: The benchmark analytical method for permanently linking a 0.25 mm ID guard column or retention gap onto the front end of a primary 0.25 mm analytical column to protect it from non-volatile sample deposits.

• High-Sensitivity GC-MS Processing: Completely eliminates air and oxygen leaks that trigger immediate stationary phase degradation and high background ion noise, securing low signal limits during trace analysis.

• Broken Capillary Column Rescue: Allows laboratory technicians to instantly repair and splice cleanly broken analytical columns with negligible changes to the overall retention time metrics, saving expensive columns from direct disposal.

• Wrench-Free Bench Workflows: Specialized slot-cut handheld tools included in the box slip cleanly over the capillary column profiles, giving operators a quick, uniform leverage path to swage the ferrules perfectly at a 60-degree lock angle.

All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners.