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Quartz Capillary Tubing

Quartz Capillary Tubing

-- Steady & Reliable Manufacturer --

Introduction

Quartz Capillary Tubing is an ultra-fine, precision-drawn product defined by its exceptionally small inner bore diameters, typically ranging from a few microns up to 1 mm. These tubes are critically important in highly specialized scientific, medical, and analytical fields that require precise fluid manipulation, sample containment, or laser fiber protection over very short or very long distances. Yancheng Mingyang Quartz Products Co., Ltd. uses a proprietary drawing tower process to achieve wall thickness and internal diameter consistency with tolerances often measured in sub-microns—a non-trivial feat in glass fabrication. The seamless, smooth inner surface and the chemical inertness of the fused quartz material prevent sample adsorption and chemical reaction, ensuring the integrity of the transported media, whether it be gases, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) solvents, or biological samples.

The unique properties of fused quartz—high mechanical strength, low fluorescence, and low thermal expansion—make it superior to standard glass or polymer capillaries. In chromatography and sequencing, where separation efficiency is determined by bore uniformity, our precision bore control is a major competitive advantage. We offer both uncoated and polymer-coated quartz capillaries; the polymer coating (typically polyimide) provides necessary mechanical flexibility and protection from abrasion during handling and integration. For specialized applications like electrospray ionization and microfluidics, we can provide capillaries with custom tapers, nozzles, or integrated electrodes. The purity of the quartz itself ensures minimal background signal in optical and chemical analysis, which is vital for detecting trace amounts of analytes. We are experienced in providing capillary tubing in bulk spools or cut to precise lengths with fire-polished ends, ready for immediate use in automated analytical equipment.

Manufacturing capillary tubing requires continuous, 24/7 drawing to maintain uniformity. Our dedicated facility and QC infrastructure are geared towards this demanding production schedule, allowing us to supply large-volume, high-tolerance orders to global analytical instrument manufacturers and research institutions reliably and consistently.

Specification Parameters

ParameterDetails
Material GradeHigh Purity Fused Silica (Synthetic Grade recommended)
Inner Diameter (ID) Range5 μm to 1000 μm (Micro-bore precision)
ID ToleranceUltra-Tight ±0.5 μm for chromatography gradesOuter Diameter (OD) Range150 μm to 2000 μm
Coating MaterialPolyimide (Standard), UV-Cured Acrylate, or Uncoated
Max Operating Temp (Uncoated)1000∘C (Intermittent)
End FinishClean Cut, Fire Polished, or Tapered/Drawn Tip
Length SuppliedSpool lengths up to 1000 meters; Custom cut lengths to ±0.1 mm

The ultra-tight tolerance on the **Inner Diameter (ID) ** is the most critical specification for quartz capillary tubing. For capillary electrophoresis (CE) and HPLC, the separation efficiency (N) is inversely proportional to the variance in the ID, making the ±0.5 μm tolerance essential for high-resolution analysis. This precision is achieved by monitoring the diameter continuously during the high-temperature draw process using laser micrometers and adjusting the draw speed and tension in real-time. The Polyimide Coating serves a dual purpose: it dramatically increases the tube's tensile strength, making it easier to handle, and protects the glass from surface abrasion and cracking. We can selectively strip the polyimide coating from the ends using heat or chemical processes for specific termination requirements. The use of Synthetic Fused Silica as the base material is often preferred for biochemical applications because its minimal trace element content ensures zero catalytic degradation of sensitive biological samples. The ability to supply the tubing in long, continuous spools is highly valued by instrument manufacturers as it minimizes connection points and assembly costs. We provide a Certificate of Conformance detailing the average ID, tolerance, and coating specifications for every batch.

Applications

  • Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) and HPLC: Serving as the separation column in high-resolution analytical equipment for DNA sequencing, protein analysis, and chemical purification.

  • Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip: Used as precise micro-channels for the controlled mixing and movement of small fluid volumes in miniaturized diagnostic and research devices.

  • Gas Chromatography (GC) Interfaces: Used as protective sheaths or transfer lines for columns, benefiting from chemical inertness and high-temperature tolerance.

  • Optical Fiber Protection: Used as precision sleeves or alignment components for bare optical fibers in high-precision connectors and splicing machines, ensuring accurate core alignment.

  • Mass Spectrometry (MS) Emitters: Tapered capillaries are used as emitters for electrospray ionization (ESI) and other ionization techniques, leveraging the smooth flow characteristics and electrical insulation of quartz.

  • Medical Diagnostics: Used in micro-sampling systems for precise fluid handling in blood analysis and drug delivery devices.

The core application advantage is precision control over very small volumes. In CE, the high surface area to volume ratio minimizes thermal convection (Joule heating), improving separation efficiency. The high flexibility of the polyimide-coated capillaries allows them to be routed in complex paths within compact instrumentation without breaking. Furthermore, the ability to heat the uncoated capillary section up to 1000∘C allows for seamless integration into high-temperature injectors or pyrolysis systems without component failure. We offer custom ID surface treatments (e.g., internal coatings or surface deactivation) tailored to prevent wall interactions for specific analytes, providing maximum flexibility to the analytical chemistry field. The ability to supply high-purity, long, continuous lengths minimizes the required number of connections, which are typically the weakest points in any fluidic system, thus enhancing system reliability and reducing background noise.

Advantages

  • Sub-Micron ID Tolerance: Guaranteed internal diameter uniformity is critical for minimizing peak broadening and maximizing separation efficiency in high-resolution chromatography and electrophoresis.

  • Excellent Chemical Purity: Inert SiO2​ surface minimizes sample adsorption, prevents leaching of contaminants, and ensures compatibility with nearly all solvents and buffers.

  • High Mechanical Strength (Coated): The polyimide coating provides superior flexibility and handling robustness, preventing breakage during the installation and operation of automated systems.

  • Broad UV-Visible Transmission: Essential for on-column detection in HPLC and CE systems, allowing direct measurement of analytes through the capillary wall without requiring an external cell.

  • High-Temperature Stability: Uncoated sections can withstand up to 1000∘C, enabling use in heated injectors and other high-thermal-load interfaces.

  • Custom Tapers and Tips: We offer advanced fabrication services to create custom nozzles, tapers, and precision cleaves required for electrospray ionization and complex microfluidic connections.

Our quartz capillary tubing provides superior analytical results due to the combination of material purity and dimensional precision. Unlike plastics, quartz offers better temperature stability and zero outgassing, and unlike standard borosilicate glass, it provides much better UV transparency. Our key competitive advantage is the ability to maintain ±0.5 μm tolerance on the inner bore diameter over long, continuous spool lengths, which is a rare capability globally. This guarantees that instrument manufacturers receive a component that directly improves the performance and reliability of their cutting-edge analytical equipment.

Payment and Shipping

We accept payments via T/T and L/C. Given the nature of these components as consumables and high-volume raw materials for instrument production, we often establish long-term supply agreements with quarterly price reviews and staggered payments tied to scheduled monthly shipments.

Shipping Protocol for Ultra-Fine Tubing: Capillaries are highly sensitive to kinking and micro-fractures.

  • Spool Packaging: Capillary tubing is carefully spooled onto ESD-safe plastic reels, which are then vacuum-sealed and protected in cushioned, crush-proof outer boxes.

  • Humidity Control: For coated capillaries, specialized packaging with humidity control packets may be used to preserve the integrity of the polymer coating.

  • Freight: Express air freight (FedEx or UPS) is used globally to ensure rapid delivery and minimal time in transit. We prioritize secure, temperature-controlled delivery.

Bulk spool orders have a lead time of 3−6 weeks, while custom cut lengths or specialized tips/coatings may extend the lead time to 6−10 weeks. We provide a full certificate of analysis with every shipment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Q: What is the typical ID tolerance offered for large-bore (e.g., 500 μm) capillaries?

  • A: For larger bores, while still precise, the tolerance is typically relaxed slightly due to draw physics, usually ranging from ±1 μm to ±3 μm, which is still far superior to conventional glass tubing.

  • Q: Can the polyimide coating be removed chemically by the customer?

  • A: Yes, polyimide is typically removed by immersing the desired section in concentrated sulfuric acid or through controlled high-temperature combustion. Detailed instructions for selective removal can be provided based on the specific coating type used.

  • Q: Do you offer pre-cut and fire-polished capillary lengths?

  • A: Yes, we provide precision cut-to-length services with end finishes that are fire-polished to remove micro-cracks and rough edges, ensuring optimal flow and minimizing the risk of breakage during insertion into instruments.

  • Q: Is your quartz capillary tubing suitable for use in high-voltage capillary electrophoresis systems?

  • A: Absolutely. The high dielectric strength of the fused quartz material, combined with the electrical insulation provided by the polyimide coating, makes our tubing the standard material for high-voltage CE applications.

From Made-in-China to
Global Smart Manufacturing

Yancheng Mingyang Quartz Products Co., Ltd. is a company specializing in the production of quartz and special glass products. Yancheng Mingyang Quartz Products Co., Ltd. is the production plant of Jinzhou Mingde Quartz Glass Co., Ltd. in Jiangsu, Since its establishment, the company has developed rapidly, introduced advanced technology and production equipment at home and abroad, and continuously improved and improved product quality. Relying on its own advantages, we have developed a variety of products suitable for the market and meet the needs of different customers, and solved many urgent production problems for our customers.

The company's products include quartz glass tubes, double-hole quartz glass tubes, quartz glass rods, quartz sheets, sapphire windows, calcium fluoride glass windows, infrared ultraviolet coatings, high-pressure resistant aluminosilicate glass window panels, quartz glass instruments, high borosilicate glass instruments, quartz crucibles, quartz gold-plated tubes, quartz heaters, quartz infrared heating tubes, far-infrared directional radiation heaters ultraviolet germicidal lamps and other special types of quartz glass products.

Yancheng Mingyang Quartz Products Co., Ltd.
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