I was hoping someone had some recommendations for packing fused silica columns. I'm pulling the tips with a Sutter 2000 laser puller after removing the polyamide coating with flame and ehtanol. I'm packing 3um C18 in a bomb under 2000 psi.

I want to really pack the column tight afterwards. It was suggested that I bring the column up to 8000 psi online. The greens sleeves with metal ferrules and fittings tend to push the silica out at around 3000 psi. Are there better fittings to get the pressure up there?

When I remove said column from the bomb I always seem to get my packing to unpack, how slowly do I need to let the pressure down to prevent this problem?

If anyone uses a Sutter P2000 to pull their silica and would like to discuss their pulling program that'd be great too.