When selecting fused silica capillary tubing, choose products designed for high temperature stability, precise inner/outer diameters, and clean inner walls for consistent results. This guide highlights five reliable options suited for high‑temperature experiments, GC (gas chromatography) workflows, and lab optical work. Best for researchers needing tight tolerances, best for labs prioritizing chemical inertness, and better for bulk purchases for educational or industrial settings. The following sections compare each product’s strengths, along with practical cautions to help you decide.
Summary of selected products:
- Fused Silica Quartz Capillary Tubing, 0.02″-0.35″, OD 9.0, ID 8.0, 100mm (Single Tube) — Shrandi
- Fused Silica Quartz Capillary Tubing, 0.02″-0.35″, OD 9.0, ID 7.0, 100mm (10 pcs) — Shrandi
- Fused Silica Quartz Capillary Tubing, 0.02″-0.35″, OD 9.0, ID 6.0, 100mm (10 pcs) — Shrandi
- 064102 – Fused Silica Tubing, Phenyl Deactivated — Trajan Scientific and Medical
- Quartz Capillary Glass Tubes Capillary Tubes Optical Laboratory, 50 pcs, 1.5mm/0.8mm — GDLKSEVEN
Fused Silica Quartz Capillary Tubing, 0.02″-0.35″ (Single) — Shrandi
Best for precision setups requiring a single, high‑quality capillary with exact OD/ID. The tube is CNC machined to tight tolerances, with an OD/ID tolerance of ±0.1 mm and a wall thickness variation under 2%. It also offers high temperature stability, remaining intact up to 1200°C and resisting rapid temperature shifts without cracking. Its inner and outer walls are smooth and scratch‑free, minimizing particle generation in sensitive GC or optical experiments. This makes it an ideal choice for researchers who need a reliable, one‑off component for a controlled test or calibration run.
Who it’s best for: individual researchers or technicians who require a precise, single capillary with minimal variability for experiments where repeatability matters. Why selected: best combination of precise dimensions and stable high‑temperature performance in a single‑tube format. Caution: as a single unit, it offers no bulk pricing or included accessories, so plan accordingly if you need multiple runs.
Fused Silica Quartz Capillary Tubing, 0.02″-0.35″ (10 pcs) — Shrandi
This batch is suitable for labs that need to outfit multiple workstreams with identical capillaries. It preserves high purity fused silica (99.99%), with 95% light transmittance and nano‑polished surfaces to reduce scatter and contamination. Temperature performance remains excellent, with stability up to 1200°C and resistance to 1000°C instantaneous changes. CNC machining ensures consistent OD/ID tolerances within ±0.1 mm and uniform wall thickness below 2%, while burr‑free edges help prevent threading or mounting issues.
Who it’s best for: labs upgrading from older tubing or building multiple identical experimental setups. Why selected: cost‑effective bulk option without compromising the core specifications. Caution: contains multiple pieces; ensure uniform labeling to avoid mixing diameters in a workflow.
Fused Silica Quartz Capillary Tubing, 0.02″-0.35″ (10 pcs) — Shrandi (ID 6.0 mm)
This variant shares the same purity and high‑temperature resilience as the other Shrandi tubes but has a smaller inner diameter (6.0 mm ID with 9.0 mm OD). It’s best for applications needing tighter flow restrictions or higher pressure control within GC or microfluidic experiments. It maintains smooth inner walls and burr‑free edges to minimize debris buildup and ensure stable flow characteristics. Choosing this version is sensible when the test design demands a smaller bore for better separation or sensitivity.
Who it’s best for: researchers needing tighter internal bore for specific separations or reduced sample volumes. Why selected: provides a mid‑range ID option while preserving overall quality. Caution: the smaller ID can increase backpressure in some setups, potentially affecting throughput.
064102 – Fused Silica Tubing, Phenyl Deactivated — Trajan Scientific
Phenyl‑deactivated fused silica tubing offers chemical stability and high homogeneity, along with enhanced flexibility. It is a common choice for GC capillary applications, LC tubing, and other chromatography tasks that demand exacting tolerances and reduced chemical interaction with analytical samples. This product is particularly suitable where long, consistent runs are performed and chemical inertness is prioritized. Limitations to consider include its not being intended for medical or patient‑oriented applications, so it should be avoided in clinical settings.
Who it’s best for: labs needing a chemically inert, high‑tolerance tubing option for GC/LC workflows. Why selected: phenyl deactivation helps minimize adsorption of aromatic compounds and improves stability. Caution: not approved for clinical or patient‑oriented uses.
Quartz Capillary Glass Tubes, 50 Pcs — GDLKSEVEN
This bulk pack provides 50 quartz capillary tubes with outer diameter 1.5 mm and inner diameter 0.8 mm, each 100 mm long. Purity is spec’d at ≥99.99%, and tubes withstand temperatures up to 1200°C with broad temperature stability down to -198°C. They also offer good dielectric properties, with a dielectric constant around 3.7, making them suitable for insulating components in electronic setups as well as high‑temperature melting and low‑temperature experiments. Best for: labs needing a bulk supply for multiple experiments or for educational demonstrations where consistent tubing is required. Caution: verify exact bore specifications before use in precision chromatography, as diameters vary in this range.
Buying Guide: Key Considerations For Fused Silica Capillary Tubing
What diameter and tolerance do I need?
Choose tubes with OD and ID tolerances that match your instrument’s fittings and your separation or flow requirements. Tight tolerances (±0.1 mm) help ensure repeatability across runs, while larger tolerances may require more frequent calibration.
How does temperature performance matter?
High‑temperature stability (up to 1200°C or more) is essential for many GC and melting applications. Consider how quickly the material resists thermal shock when switching between hot and cool conditions.
Is chemical inertness important for my samples?
Phenyl‑deactivated fused silica offers reduced interactions with aromatic compounds, beneficial for certain GC analyses. For general inertness, standard fused silica already provides strong chemical stability, but specific chemistries may benefit from deactivation.
Bulk vs. single units: which fits my needs?
Bulk packs reduce per‑tube cost and simplify inventory for continuous work, while single tubes are ideal for initial testing, calibration, or specialized experiments requiring a precise bore or length.
What about compatibility and installation?
Ensure the outer diameter matches your column housings, clamps, or adapters. Look for burr‑free edges to prevent chipping during insertion and avoid introducing particulates into the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is fused silica tubing typically used for in labs?
Used for gas chromatography separations, high‑temperature melts, and optical layouts where a clean, inert path or precise bore is required.
- What does phenyl deactivation do for silica tubing?
Reduces adsorption of aromatic compounds and improves chemical resistance in certain chromatography workflows.
- How tight should the OD/ID tolerances be?
Generally, ±0.1 mm tolerances support reliable fittings and consistent flow; looser tolerances may require calibration adjustments.
- Can I use different diameters in the same setup?
Yes, but ensure adapters and fittings accommodate the variations to maintain consistent results.
- Is it important to consider temperature range for lab work?
Yes. A wide thermal range prevents cracking or deformation during rapid temperature changes and extreme conditions.
- Is bulk tubing better than single pieces for GC work?
Bulk tubing reduces per‑unit cost and ensures ready supply, which may improve workflow continuity in busy labs.