Camsco SEFM-AC60420-1000-S Glass Thermal Desorption Tube (6 mm × 4.5 in) with Tenax TA/Carboxen 1000 Sorbent Bed

Overview

The Camsco SEFM-AC60420-1000-S is a precision-engineered glass thermal desorption tube designed for quantitative volatile organic compound (VOC) and semi-volatile organic compound (SVOC) sampling in ambient air, indoor air, workplace monitoring, and environmental emissions testing. Constructed from borosilicate glass with strict dimensional tolerances (6 mm outer diameter × 114.3 mm / 4.5 in length), this tube features a dual-bed sorbent configuration: a front layer of Tenax TA (2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide polymer, 60–80 mesh) optimized for C₆–C₁₄ VOCs, and a rear layer of Carboxen 1000 (graphitized carbon black, 20–40 mesh) for enhanced retention of light compounds (C₂–C₅) and polar species. The tube undergoes full pre-conditioning—thermal aging under inert gas flow at elevated temperature—to eliminate residual volatiles, ensuring ultra-low background signal and high analytical reproducibility. Its geometry and end-cap design meet the mechanical and pneumatic interface specifications of CDS Instruments’ automated thermal desorption systems (e.g., CDS 7000 Series, CDS 9300 Series), enabling precise robotic handling, consistent desorption efficiency, and minimal carryover.

Key Features

• Borosilicate glass construction ensures chemical inertness, low extractables, and resistance to thermal shock during repeated desorption cycles.
• Dual-bed sorbent architecture (Tenax TA + Carboxen 1000) provides broad-spectrum analyte coverage across boiling points and polarities—critical for EPA TO-17, ISO 16017-1, and EN 13675 compliance.
• Pre-aged and certified low-background: Each tube is thermally conditioned per ASTM D6196 Annex A1 protocols, with individual GC–MS verification of blank integrity (target < 5 pg benzene equivalent).
• Stainless steel storage cap (SS cap) maintains sample integrity post-collection by providing hermetic sealing—essential for extended hold times (up to 14 days at 4 °C) without analyte loss or oxidation.
• Tight dimensional control (±0.1 mm OD, ±0.5 mm length) guarantees reliable fitment in CDS autosampler trays and desorption ovens, minimizing flow-path variability and pressure drop inconsistencies.
• Individually packaged in inert, static-dissipative pouches with lot-specific certificate of analysis (CoA) including conditioning date, blank chromatogram, and sorbent mass verification.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

This tube is validated for use with EPA Method TO-17 sampling trains and compatible with all major thermal desorption platforms requiring 6 mm × 4.5 in format—including CDS 7000, 9300, and 9500 series instruments. It supports both active (pumped) and passive (diffusive) sampling configurations. The Tenax TA/Carboxen 1000 combination meets the sorbent performance criteria outlined in ISO 16017-1:2000 (indoor air—determination of VOCs), EN 13675:2002 (ambient air quality—sampling and analysis of VOCs), and EU Directive 2004/107/EC (arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Tubes are manufactured under ISO 9001-certified processes; lot traceability supports GLP and ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation requirements.

Software & Data Management

While the tube itself is a consumable hardware component, its use integrates seamlessly into CDS Instrument’s Analyst™ and PyroPro™ software ecosystems. Barcode-lot tracking enables full audit trail linkage between tube serial number, sampling event metadata (flow rate, duration, location), desorption method parameters (cold trap temp, desorption time, transfer line temp), and resulting chromatographic data. When used in regulated environments (e.g., contract labs serving pharmaceutical or environmental clients), the combination of pre-conditioned tubes, instrument calibration logs, and electronic records satisfies FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic signatures and data integrity—provided the host LIMS or CDS software is properly validated.

Applications

• Ambient and indoor air quality monitoring (BTEX, aldehydes, terpenes, halogenated VOCs)
• Workplace exposure assessment per OSHA ID-255 and NIOSH 1501/1502 methods
• Soil vapor intrusion investigations (SVI) and landfill emission screening
• Product emissions testing (building materials, furniture, automotive interiors) per ASTM D5116 and ISO 16000-9
• Method development and validation studies requiring high recovery (>95%) and inter-tube RSD < 5% (n = 10) for target analytes

FAQ

What is the recommended maximum sampling volume for this tube using a standard 0.1–0.2 L/min flow rate?
For optimal breakthrough prevention, total sampled air volume should not exceed 1,500 L when collecting typical ambient VOCs; breakthrough testing data for BTEX and chlorinated compounds is available upon request.
Can this tube be re-used after thermal desorption?
No—this is a single-use, pre-conditioned tube. Reuse compromises sorbent integrity, increases background, and violates EPA TO-17 and ISO 16017-1 chain-of-custody requirements.
Is the stainless steel cap suitable for long-term archival storage?
Yes—validated for up to 14 days at 4 °C; for longer storage (>30 days), cryogenic conditions (−20 °C) are recommended and documented in internal stability studies.
Does Camsco provide custom sorbent bed configurations or alternative dimensions?
Yes—custom dual- or triple-bed configurations (e.g., Carbopack X/Tenax TA/Carboxen 1000), alternate diameters (¼″, ½″), and lengths (3.5″, 7″) are available under OEM agreement with full method transfer support.
How is lot-to-lot consistency verified?
Each production lot undergoes GC–MS blank analysis, sorbent mass gravimetry, and breakthrough testing against a 12-analyte VOC standard; CoAs include chromatograms, integration reports, and uncertainty statements per ISO/IEC 17025 Annex A.