Chromatography Forum

Hi,

Why would one chose Stainless Steel column over glass column? I am not understanding this if the price is around the same, the resin is the same and has the same separating properties?? I am comparing two products and the only difference that I see is the ID (mm)....7.5mm vs. 8mm.

I am thinking of buying glass over SS b/c I like the idea of being able to monitor the resin.

Can someone shed some light on advantages of using a SS column? Does it have something to do with flow rate? Pressure maximums?

thanks.
S

SS doesn't break. Actually, very little is done these days on packed columns, virtually all on capillary columns, majority fused-silica.

Actually, very little is done these days on packed columns, virtually all on capillary columns, majority fused-silica.

Uhhh, it's been a while since I've seen an 8mm id fused-silica capillary I believe you're thinking of GC.

The major advantage of stainless steel over glass is the pressure capability. Since you used the term "resin" rather than packing, I surmise that you come from a biochem background, and are dealing with particle size/flow rate combinations that don't generate a lot of back pressure, so glass would be OK.

Glass seems so fragile. Why we use glass as column that used in high pressure condition? Could anyone tell the history? Is it related to color separation examination as in earlier chromatography by Tswett?

i am only guessing, but i assume you are looking at doing some sort of size exclusion work, maybe affinity work?

if you are then chances are you will be running a low flow rate so pressure is not an issue?

only benefit of going to glass column, is if your compounds bind with SS in some way.

main benefit to SS is durability, you can run higher flow, and won't break during transportation!

if there is no reason to go with glass, then best to stick with SS.

Hello,

Thank you all for replying to my question. I understand better why people choose SS over glass. I am needing for size exclusion chromatography.

S