Graphite Ferrules re Packaging
flexibe “squashable material > that’s simply “the beauty” of the material - UNIQUE ! ( . . . GRAPHOIL > “Natural” and NOT a “Fossil Fuel” )
> a precursor in fact  of  “Carbon Nanotubes”

• Graphite  <<< / graphite (/Vespel), < PTFE <PFA <ETFE < PEEK
   ( <<<copper <Silver <Lead <<<SS ! ) > ALL have different Max Temp restraints etc
   & YES ! WE have tried them ALL !
        All are / Can be suitable ( with care  ! ) for glass / fused silica /ceramic tubes but with
  ALL > still need improvisation !
  The perfect sealing material for high Temp Use (450C Max for “extreme” > GC
  but >>> in an Inert Atmosphere ( > 2500C )
  
  NOTE On SS ferrules ; are always good at least forthe first time use
   
•   Do NOT Over-tighten ( damage to fitting the SS Ferrule cone is actually designed to bite into the tube to seal > a hardened tip.
• If in doubt always a “Torque Wrench” > & recommended !

OK ! > IF in the exact same “orientation” is achieved on re-doing the seal > re-position etc > 1/2”OD SS Tube can be > Most difficult for repeated use ( Gas chromatohraphy and changing columns often ? the ferrule cone and fitting “Detail”(s) can get distorted . . .> frustration ! . . . > GOOD for SL “sales” !

GRAPHITE Is STILL relatively FRAGILE > still particularly large(r) sizes
HANDLE WITH CARE ! in the Lab

for Shipping packaging

• Smaller Sizes 1/16 to 1/4”ID we normally 10/pk in Plastic Vials
   >cushioned inside with “cotton wool”
  Sometimes for Our Distributors we : ”Bulk-Pack” in Plastic Bags where  maybe OEM RE Labelling and re-packing may be required !
  > “bulk- Pack” in appropriate larger plastic vials or plastic “Zip-lock” bags

TRANSIT Handling CAN BE a problem !

”Futile” even to Label them “Fragile” re > Freght Couriers > Aust Post etc
can be “just narks” !> “kick them “ to TRY US OUT !
They often seem To have NO Care ! > No Responsibility !
 . . . similarly Do U touch” WET PAINT . . .judt to see !

IF  “Slightly” damaged > Dented > U can recover ? ! . . .
“with Finger-smoothing” ? but in-situ” recover is possible on re-compressing
inside THE Fitting and under even better compression ?
&/Or with a “torgue wrench” or via THE Nut rotary compression in-situ !
Retain the Graphite Ferrule INSIDE NUT > SLIDE-OFF For RE-USE !
but > USE a Support Rod > externally for this “remoulding” !

some > WorstCase Examples !

 some Limitations :
U “MUST” DIY Trial Test for Different APPS !

Graphite Ferrules are “suspect “under High Vacuum ( eg GC/MS) “
> made from thin tape at very high compression but stll 25% laminated
and can > “micro leaks”
OUR SS Cup>”captrued 1/16” GFs are a big improvemt > with appropriate
re-designed Column Fittings > ef FISONS CarlErba & a few other “smarter”
GC OEMs > USERS . . . ASK !

> > perfect for normal GC especially PREP GC  large diam columns where SS ferrules can be quite useless after repeated column Changes !
or misused > applied !

MAX PRESSURE ?  > DIY  . . . U TEST !

Reducing Ferrule s are “MORE”” limited !
Normal ( laminar ) inside flow far less a problem > tube Strength itself is the
limiting factor ( > Glass wall thickness and OD/ ID etc ) !
Gas Pressure on the face of “exposed“ Tube-end Can cause the tube to
“blow-out ! > a potential HAZARD ! . . . which Limits  the actual MAX psi ???
Graphite Being an extreme Low Friction Material
- roughening the tube Outer Surface  (under the ferrule) help increase the “grip” > a “grooving tool” can help !

USE Safety Precautions  >  under abnormal Pressure ( and Temperature ) conditions . . . TEST & RE-TEST ! under YOUR APP EXTREMES

CT > GF Packaging

some Other Ideas ?

Plastic Tube Pkg  for GFs

• NOW ! > Under consideration  > 25-50Max ! per tube

• as used currently or Our
  Glass Serum bottles ! ( shown )

GF Tooling Cost ONLY IF NOT in Stock in Melbourne
Small AUD $120  ~ 1/16 to 1/2”ID
Medium $160 > 1/2 to 1”
Large $220 >1.0” to 2.0 ”ID
A ONCE -OFF Charge ! . . . ONLY ! > initially !

Applies ONLY for Custom OD or ID
> Variable Overall Length @ No Extra Charge !
Cone Shape is “Fixed” ~17deg for Standard Swagelok

“Perfect”       > “striations” are just an artifact of “ultra High Compreshion of “Graphoil” Tape . . . in production !
- these tend to be recompressed under much greater “Torque Compression”
 in a properly “captured Tube Fitting ( NOT so ! > Reducing Ferrule(s) ! )

OUR Packaging Methods - Typical for large(r) GFs

NO Perfect ANSWER ! > All a compromise > depends on ready
availability of packing materials re GF Size and its’ close fit for
“support” material GFS are relatively Fragile ! re IF Thin-Wall & “Cone Tip”
& Length
we also use extra > Cotton Wool, Foam > Bubble-wrap
in a ” reasonable”  Outer Carton as deemed appropriate . . . by Us !

> a larger pic !

> a larger pic !

very GOOD !  > limited by PVC Tube > Size ! & GF Fit !

Ideal Compromise Packaging
( recommended Min Qty & Guaranteed)

SFM14+G (SF1000G 5/8” ID 25-pk - on foam rod 15.0mmD
SFM10+G (SF600G 3/8”ID ) 50-pk - on foam rod 10.0mmD

Very Good ! > but small(er) Qty ONLY ? per Pk
limited by Vial sizes > available ! OD &L
> with cotton wool “cushioning” IF needed !

also 4
SF1600” 1.0”ID
SF2000G  1-1/4”ID

>larger > NOT so Good

can be tedious ! & more costly for Us to do !

but THEN “NOTHING“Survives ! > IF a “Truck-runover” > a Fork-lift running into a “carton” ! or mis-handling . . . by Couriers (  AustPost . . . in particular ! )
OR by end-users themselves ! In hindsight  . . .we take Reasonable Care

DAMAGE ? - CLAIMS will NOT be considered unless . . .
CT receives YOUR PIC of the damage “outer” carton & The “GFs” involved !
NO PROOF > No Claim !  but U can expect <<< 5% MAX Damage > in transit !

rehandling > Too many times ! ( eg by Customs INSPECTION etc
> always an unknown !

eg GF Largest size(s) ( 2.0”ID & 3/4”ID ?)
“Short(er) Front GF Now Standard  & preferred & Easier to make
> Use “these” with the Swagelok “Back” Ferrule”

Restek Literature generally is updated regularly > OLDER material is kept for
archive”€� Purposes - a Customer TECHNICAL Resource for U !
see 2011-2, 2015-6 Catalogs some items no longer available / superceded ! : 
Printed Catalogs R NO LONGER AVAILABLE from Restek !

Chromtech.net.au > Chromtech-AUS.com> Chromalytic.net.au

mini-SHOPPE  proto-Shop2CT > “OUR Consensus”> CC < GW & Energy BLOGs

“CC”10Feb24