What Vials are Compatible with Agilent Technologies GC Autosamplers

Quick Answer

Most Agilent GC autosamplers use 12 × 32 mm glass vials with 11 mm crimp caps for routine GC injections. For headspace GC, Agilent systems typically use 10 mL or 20 mL headspace vials with 20 mm crimped aluminum caps. Selecting the correct vial ensures reproducible injections, sample integrity, and reliable autosampler performance.

Agilent GC Vial Compatibility

Laboratories running GC autosamplers from Agilent often ask: which vials are compatible with Agilent GC systems, including routine and headspace analyses? Selecting the correct vial is critical for reproducible injections, sample integrity, and instrument reliability.

At Chrom Tech, we work directly with laboratories using Agilent GC instruments and regularly help determine the correct vial type for both routine GC and headspace applications.

In most cases, 12 × 32 mm glass vials with 11 mm crimp caps are recommended for routine GC injections, while 10 mL or 20 mL headspace vials with crimp closures are standard for volatile headspace sample analyses.

Chrom Tech has supported chromatography laboratories since 1983, specializing in GC consumables, autosampler vials, septa, and closures for both routine and headspace applications.

Instrument Compatibility Matrix — Agilent Click ✓ to jump to recommended SKUs
Manufacturer Model / Autosampler Crimp 11mm Narrow Crimp 11mm Wide Snap 11mm Wide Screw 8-425 Screw 9mm HS 20mm 10 mL HS 20mm 20 mL HS 18mm Thrd 10 (Mag) HS 18mm Thrd 20 (Mag)
Agilent 5880, 5890, 6850 (27 Position Tray), 6890 ✓ ✓ ✓ — ✓ — — — —
Agilent 6850 (22 Pos. Tray) — — — — — — — — —
Agilent 7673A, 7683A ✓ ✓ ✓ — ✓ — — — —
Agilent 7693A ✓ ✓ ✓ — ✓ — — — —
Agilent 7985A ✓ ✓ ✓ — ✓ — — — —
Agilent CTC Combi PAL ✓ ✓ ✓ — ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Agilent CTC GC PAL ✓ ✓ ✓ — ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Agilent HTC PAL ✓ ✓ ✓ — ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Agilent 7694, 7694E — — — — — ✓ ✓ — —
Agilent 7697A — — — — — ✓ ✓ — —
Agilent 8697 — — — — — ✓ ✓ — —
Agilent G1888A — — — — — ✓ ✓ — —
Vial Formats & Recommended In-Stock SKUs Click ✓ in compatibility tables to jump here

Each column is a vial family. The compatibility matrix highlights the matching column so customers can quickly identify the recommended SKUs.

Vial Family Crimp 11mm Narrow Crimp 11mm Wide Snap 11mm Wide Screw 8-425 Screw 9mm HS 20mm 10 mL HS 20mm 20 mL HS 18mm Thrd 10 (Mag) HS 18mm Thrd 20 (Mag)
Vial Dimension (mm) 12×32 12×32 12×32 12×32 12×32 23×46 23×75 23×46 23×75
Volume (mL) 2 2 2 2 2 10 20 10 20
Neck Finish 11mm 11mm 11mm 8-425 9mm 20mm 20mm 18mm Thread 18mm Thread
Comment Narrow Mouth Wide Mouth Wide Mouth Narrow Mouth Wide Mouth — — Magnetic Magnetic
Clear Vial CTV-1100M CTV-1104 CTV-1108 408213 CTV-1209 CTV-2246 CTV-2375 CTV-2346T CTV-2375T
Clear Vial w/MS CTV-1100GS CTV-1104GS CTV-1108GS CTV-1208GS CTV-1209GS — — — —
Amber Vial CTV-1100A CTV-1104A CTV-1108A 404810 CTV-1209A — CTV-2375A CTV-2346AT CTV-2375AT
Amber Vial w/MS CTV-1100GSA CTV-1104GSA CTV-1108GSA CTV-1208MSA CTV-1209GSA — — — —
Low Volume Flat Bottom Insert 1062 405342 405342 1062 405342 — — — —
Low Volume Tapered Bottom Insert 200238 CTI-9525 CTI-9525 200238 CTI-9525 — — — —
Closure (PTFE/Silicone Septa with closure) CTC-1109 CTC-1109 CTC-1305 CTC-1254 CTC-0952 408077 408077 CTC-1852M CTC-1852M
Closure (PTFE/Silicone Septa with slit with closure) CTC-1109B-SLIT CTC-1109B-SLIT CTC-1370 — CTC-0955 — — — —

Common Agilent GC Autosamplers and Vial Compatibility

Agilent GC autosamplers use different vial formats depending on the type of injection being performed.

Routine GC Injections

  • Common autosamplers: Agilent 7890B GC with ALS, Agilent 8860 GC with ALS
  • Typical vial: 12 × 32 mm glass vial
  • Closure: 11 mm crimp cap with PTFE/silicone septa
  • Optional inserts: Recommended for low-volume samples

Headspace GC Injections

  • Common autosamplers: Agilent 7697A Headspace Sampler
  • Typical vial: 10 mL or 20 mL glass headspace vial
  • Closure: Crimped aluminum cap with PTFE/silicone septa
  • Designed for: Heating, agitation, and pressurized headspace conditions

Why Crimped Vials Are Critical for GC Analysis

Gas chromatography is primarily used for volatile and semi-volatile compounds, where even minor sample loss can affect quantitative accuracy. Crimped vials provide several important advantages:

  • Tight sealing to minimize evaporation
  • Consistent needle penetration during autosampler injections
  • Improved sample integrity for both routine and headspace GC
  • Compatibility with elevated temperature and pressure in headspace analyses

The 11 mm crimp closure is the standard for routine GC vials, while headspace vials typically use 20 mm crimped aluminum caps to maintain stability during heating and pressurization.

Recommended Vial Specifications

Routine GC

  • Vial material: Type I borosilicate glass
  • Volume: 2 mL standard (optional inserts for low-volume injections)
  • Closure: 11 mm crimp cap with PTFE/silicone septa

Headspace GC

  • Vial material: Type I borosilicate glass
  • Volume: 10 mL or 20 mL
  • Closure: 20 mm crimp aluminum cap with PTFE/silicone septa
  • Special considerations: Must withstand incubation temperature and headspace pressure

Best Practices for Agilent GC Vials

1. Select the Appropriate Vial Brand

  • Both Chrom Tech and Agilent-branded vials are compatible.
  • Agilent recommends its own branded vials to ensure optimal performance with its instruments.
  • Chrom Tech vials meet the same dimensional and quality standards required for reliable GC autosampler operation.

2. Use Inserts When Needed

  • Small-volume samples benefit from conical inserts.
  • This ensures complete sample recovery and consistent injection performance.

Quick Compatibility Summary

Application Vial Size Closure Notes
Routine GC 12 × 32 mm 11 mm crimp cap with PTFE/silicone septa Optional inserts for low-volume samples; Chrom Tech and Agilent branded vials compatible
Headspace GC 10 mL or 20 mL Crimped aluminum cap with PTFE/silicone septa Must withstand heating and pressure

Need Help Selecting the Right GC Vials?

Chrom Tech chromatography specialists help laboratories match:

  • Instrument model
  • Injection type (routine vs. headspace)
  • Sample volume
  • Method requirements

to the correct vial configuration for reliable Agilent GC autosampler performance, whether using Chrom Tech or Agilent-branded vials.

Frequently Asked Questions

What vials are compatible with Agilent GC autosamplers?

Most Agilent GC autosamplers use 12 × 32 mm glass vials with 11 mm crimp caps for routine GC injections. Headspace applications typically use 10 mL or 20 mL headspace vials with 20 mm crimped aluminum caps.

Why are crimp caps used for GC vials?

Crimp caps provide a tighter seal than screw caps, helping prevent evaporation of volatile compounds and ensuring consistent autosampler needle penetration during GC injections.

Can Chrom Tech vials be used with Agilent GC systems?

Yes. Chrom Tech vials meet the same dimensional and quality specifications required for Agilent GC autosamplers and are widely used as compatible alternatives to Agilent-branded vials.

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