Currently the Melfit connectors can be used in isothermal and temperature programmed operation up to temperatures of 385 Cº. The development of Meltfit connectors allowing GC oven temperatures up to 450 Cº is currently under study. We expect these high temperature tubes to be available just after the summer.

The NLISIS Meltfit allows you to connect columns of different inner diameters, but there are restrictions.
The Meltfit technology can be used to couple wide-bore 530 um capillaries to a standard 320 or 250 um columns. The glass shrinks to form a smooth connection. Excessive shrinking, e.g. from 0.53 to 0.1 mm, is not possible, unless you create the connection in two steps: 0.53 to 0.32 and 0.32 to 0.1 um.

The large majority of the connections can be established with our regular Meltfit tubes that facilitate capillary column connections between 0.53 and 0.1 mm.There are also different tubes, depending on the inner and outer diameters of the columns to be connected. But since the Meltfit tubes can shrink considerably there is ample room to correct for small mismatches in outer diameter of the GC column and the inner diameter of the Meltfit tube. We recommend to select the Meltfit tube based on the outer diameter of the column. If wanted you can send us a small piece of your column, 1 cm is enough, we will measure the outside diameter and send the appropriate Meltfit tubes.

The temperature and time settings of the Meltfit One are very important and need to be optimised depending on the Meltfit tube dimensions. The regular temperature setting are based on our standard tubes for connections between 0.53 and 0.1 mm. Other Meltfit tubes are only needed in extreme cases. For those cases, we always provide the settings required to get a good connection.

So far the Meltfit technology can only be used to connect fused silica columns. Metal columns can not yet be connected using Meltfit connectors.

Capillary columns should not break. If they do, the cause should be investigated. And yes, a Meltfit connection can be used to mend the column.

We are working on a reversible connection that allows columns to be connected and disconnected time after time. However, this solution is not yet available. A Meltfit connection can only be removed by cutting the column. This will only result in a loss of some 1-2 cm of column.

The meltfit connections have been tested at pressures as high as 20 bar (280 psi) without showing any leakage. This means they can be used in all GC applications. Even when working with narrow bore columns where high inlet pressures are needed, or in flow-controlled operation where high pressures are reached towards the end of the temperature program.

Correct. Actually the Meltfit X and Y connectors are in the final stages of product testing. We expect the market release of the connectors just after summer , allowing the following connections;
0.53 to 2×0.32 and 0.32 to 2× 0.1.

Some initial tests have been done with Meltfit connectors in LC, both at the high- and low pressure side. We hope to introduce the Meltfit technology for LC later in 2008.

Meltfit Y and X connectors are currently in their final testing stages and will be released later in 2008.