r/labrats • u/Special-Ad6731 • 2d ago

Chromatography column cracked and fractured

A GE Superdex 200 Increase 5/150 GL column of our lab was just found cracked and fractured (not the resin inside, the actual glass column body). We asked around, but nobody's admitted to mishandling it yet. We'd want to rule out the possibility of it happening spontaneously before going through the CCTV footage and pointing fingers. Has anyone known a column body cracking for no apparent reason (maybe room temperature dropping or internal pressure)? Many thanks!

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u/Danandcats 1d ago edited 1d ago

Apparently you can't manually pack the increase resin in the modern smaller columns, according to Cytiva anyway.

Admittedly I've never tried. I'd check the price of the hardware vs a new column and see if it's worth the faff before attempting.

Edit to add- I've just noticed it's a 5/150, I really wouldn't bother trying to repack unless you are super desperate. If it was purchased fairly recently just tell Cytiva it turned up like that. Worst they can do is tell you to jog on.

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u/Between3and20again 1d ago

I’ve repacked these before but it is super hard and I’m pretty sure it’s more luck than skill. The 5mm diameter is so small you start to see capillary effects

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u/Danandcats 1d ago

Was that with the standard superdex resin though?

It used to be the same resin no matter the column size but a few years ago they switched to superdex increase in the 10/300 and 5/150 columns. I believe the difference is something to do with pressure resistance.

I wouldn't go as far as saying it's impossible but it'll be bloody hard and the manufacturer tells you it can't be done (if you believe them of course).

Fair play to anyone who manages it but definitely beyond my level of patience 😹

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u/Between3and20again 1d ago

Oh ya I would have been using superdex75. What is the increase resin? For higher pressures?

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u/Danandcats 1d ago

Yeah as far as I'm aware, it came out in the last few years and you can run the columns that use tricorn hardware at higher pressures as a result.

The s75/200 and superose6 (probably the 12 too but not sure) in the smaller columns now are all the "increase" type. No change to separation though I don't think.