Vial Construction and Pressure Tolerance

• All MICROSOLV and Basic brand headspace vials are manufactured with a wall thickness of 1.2 mm, providing enhanced mechanical strength and resistance to internal pressure.
• This design helps ensure that the vial itself will not burst under typical analytical conditions.

The Real Weak Point: The Cap and Septum

• Contrary to common assumptions, the vial is not the limiting factor in pressure resistance—the cap and septum are.
• Under pressure, the septa can bulge against the aluminum cap with enough force to tear or rupture the cap, especially if no pressure relief mechanism is in place.

Pressure Performance

• Some MICROSOLV™ and BASIK™ brand vials equipped with pressure relief cap systems have been reported to withstand pressures up to 10 bar.
• However, standard caps without pressure relief typically fail at or near 10 bar, making them unsuitable for high-pressure applications without additional safeguards.

Best Practices for Safe Use

• Always match the vial with a compatible cap and septum rated for your application’s pressure range.
• For high-pressure or volatile sample conditions, consider using pressure relief caps or crimp caps with reinforced septa.
• Avoid over-tightening screw caps, which can compromise the septum seal and increase the risk of failure.
• Regularly inspect caps and septa for signs of wear, deformation, or chemical degradation.

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