As UHPLC usage has grown significantly more popular in recent years, as opposed to HPLC columns, you may be using them a lot more yourself. As you invest in different tools in your research, you will want to ensure they are of high quality.

This article will explain to you why the FlexFire series of UHPLC columns is the best investment you can make when it comes to chromatography. It will also assist you in understanding the unique features of the columns. In understanding how the FlexFire system works, you will be able to assist your research in withstanding rigorous review.

What is the FlexFire series?

Released in 2019, Develosil created the FlexFire series of UHPLC and HPLC columns with a focus on adaptability and resilience. Each of the columns in the series has a 2 mm semi-micro inner column and is available with particle sizes of 5, 2.6, or 1.6 micrometers.

Also, the columns make use of a silica gel that has a much higher mechanical strength than its predecessors. Finally, it has a significantly greater ability to filter out impurities in the process of chromatography.

How Adaptable is FlexFire?

There are many options available for the FlexFire series that allow it to perform in a variety of ways depending on your research:

Particle Size Options

The FlexFire Series makes several different sizes of porous particles available to suit your research needs. Your research and development team can make use of a particle size of 1.6 micrometers to ensure accurate testing.

After R&D, you can even transfer the method to a quality control department that does not need the same equipment. In this situation, you can use a 5-micrometer particle size instead, depending on your needs.

Being able to work with several particle sizes reduces the time required when adjusting conditions. Develosil has brought about this reality because of the silica gel and end-capping used in the production of the columns. It ensures a consistent product regardless of the column used.

Function Groups

You can use FlexFire columns through a wide range of function groups. The product has undergone testing through functions C1 to C30. You can use it with hydrophilic interaction, liquid chromatography (HILIC), and functions C1 to C30 in all known scenarios.

Using these groups, you can determine what the best research method is to use with your UHPLC and HPLC columns. You can even scale the research up and down depending on your needs.

How Sturdy is FlexFire?

The FlexFire has a significantly expanded durability from its predecessors. It can withstand higher pressures and wider pH levels than ever before, meaning it has a place in several different research projects.

Our Silica

A large part of the FlexFire column’s claim to quality is the high-value silica that its creators have invested in.

Develosil uses a high-quality silica gel in the creation of the FlexFire columns as opposed to a conventional filling. FlexFire columns get created to a strong standard, meaning it is of uniform consistency and high density. Also, the silica contains low amounts of impurities such as metal which can affect research.

The end caps on FlexFire series columns are also produced to a similarly high level of consistent quality. This means that you can have assurances of research results that are not affected by external factors.

Stable at pH1 to pH10

You can use the FlexFire series of chromatography columns through a wide range of pH levels. Anything from pH 1 to pH 10 will pass through the column with no concern as to it harming the column.

This is also true through several temperatures, with all function groups able to withstand up to sixty degrees Celcius. The C4 wide and C4 mAb functions can also function in temperatures up to eighty degrees Celcius. This opens up more functional options for those columns.

Robust Method Development

As the development of testing methods evolves, you will need UHPLC columns that can withstand several changes in how you use them. Because of the hardy nature of FlexFire series columns, they can hold up to an evolving method development over time.

Even above expected alkaline pH levels, the FlexFire series can maintain a level of retention for hours past its competitors. Any loss of retention was in-fact negligible in ongoing tests.

What Other Benefits Are There?

With a unified inner diameter of only 2.0 millimeters, the FlexFire series of UHPLC and HPLC columns provides two benefits.

First, all the columns are standardized. This means that you can rest assured that any results you get being more likely to be reliable. If there is any deviation from a set norm, the result is more likely to be significant. This is especially the case when the column diameter is not a factor in how effective the chromatography is.

Additionally, two millimeters is a comparatively very small diameter. As you reduce the diameter of a UHPLC column, you increase the sensitivity of the readout by limiting the frictional heating. Thus, the FlexFire column has proven to be a very accurate piece of equipment that will be a boon to any research project.

You should note that FlexFire also comes with a range of different options to enable researchers to pursue other avenues of inquiry. For example, the series has reversed-phase columns available for sale as well as HILIC columns. These extra tools can give any research project a leg up in the methodologies available to it.

Further Questions?

As shown, the FlexFire UHPLC and HPLC column systems have numerous benefits over several of its competitors. If you have further questions about FlexFire, do not hesitate to get in contact. Our experts will be able to answer any concerns you have and provide you additional information on the benefits of FlexFire’s solutions.