Crimp Top Vials and Closure Compatibility Chart: A Quick Reference Guide

Crimp top vials are a cornerstone of chromatography, mass spectroscopy, and the long-term storage of pharmaceuticals and other materials. They combine different vials and well-fitted caps to optimize autosampler operations, ensuring intact needles, accuracy, and reusability.

Since no two applications or autosamplers are the same, selecting the right vial, closure, and septa combination is essential. This article aims to simplify vial and closure selection by providing information on the advantages of each type and a compatibility chart.

Table Of Contents

The Different Types of Vials

The Different Types of Closures

Compatibility Chart

The Different Types of Crimp Top Vials

Vials are each designed for a specific purpose and vary to accommodate the equipment, application, and user. Some of these accommodations include unique neck finishes and Interlocked™ vials with fused inserts. Below is the list of crimp top vials available to maximize your processes.

Standard Opening

Standard opening crimp top vials are manufactured from clear or amber type 1 borosilicate glass and are ideal for Agilent and other autosamplers.

Wide Opening

Similar to the standard opening vials, these wide opening (big-mouth) vials have a 40% larger opening to prevent needles from breaking and allow pipetting.

Snap Ring™

The JG Finneran Snap Ring™ Crimp Top Vials feature a ring finish that eliminates the need for crimping and decapping when paired with Snap Cap™ closures. Depending on user preference, these vials are available in borosilicate glass, various plastics, or glastic (glass and plastic).

Snap Seal™

The Snap Seal™ Crimp Top Vials from JG Finneran feature a StepVial design to precisely center limited volume inserts and additional glass in the neck to prevent breakage during decapping. The vials are available in clear or amber glass and natural, black, or amber plastic. They are compatible with Snap Cap™ closures, reducing time and effort.

The Different Types of Crimp Top Closures

Crimp top closures are critical in ensuring the secure and efficient use of crimp top vials for chromatography and other applications. Available in various materials and designs, these closures provide a range of benefits, including ease of use, secure sealing, and compatibility with specific vial types.

Aluminum Seals

Aluminum seals are among the most common crimp-top closures used for chromatography applications and pharmaceutical storage. Their high-quality, often multicolored, aluminum provides a strong, secure seal to prevent leakage. Some aluminum seals are also magnetic for devices that require them, and specialized septas, such as ultra low bleed septas, that protect highly sensitive materials.

Poly Crimp™ Seals

Designed to fit any 12 mm x 32 mm crimp top vial, Poly Crimp™ Seals are made of polypropylene, which provides additional flexibility and reduced brittleness compared to aluminum seals. They do not require a crimper for a secure seal, but they can be crimped with a crimper for a tighter seal. They are available in multiple colors for easy identification.

Snap Ring™

The JG Finneran Snap Ring™ Crimp Top Vials feature a ring finish that eliminates the need for crimping and decapping when paired with Snap Cap™ closures. Depending on user preference, these vials are available in borosilicate glass, various plastics, or glastic (glass and plastic).

Snap Top Caps™

Compatible with Snap Ring™ and Snap Seal™ vials, the polypropylene or LDPE Snap Top Caps™ eliminates the need for crimpers and decappers. They can be applied and removed simply by hand, reducing the chance of injury that may occur with sharp aluminum edges. Their large opening allows for an even larger target site for needle penetration.

These closures can also come in multiple colors or with metal o-rings for applications requiring a magnet for transportation. Due to their liquid airtight seal, the 11mm Polypropylene GC Snap Caps™ are perfect for volatile samples.

Crimp Top Selection Guide

The following chart displays the different vials and compatible closures and their features:

Whether standardizing processes or exploring new methodologies, this guide is here to help you gain the knowledge to make informed decisions. Need more information or assistance? Contact our knowledgeable sales team at 1-800-733-2522, [email protected], or message us via Live Chat, available on our website.