Elevate Your Laboratory Testing with SSP’s High-Quality EPA/VOA Septa
Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) is a trusted partner to laboratories around the world. We make high-quality septa and caps that are designed specifically for chromatography, including ultra-pure septa that meet water and soil testing requirements from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These ultra-clean septa also support the accuracy of volatile organic analysis (VOA). Avoid Ghost Peaks SSP’s EPA/VOA septa are made from platinum-cured silicones and offer exceptionally-low siloxane bleed, helping you avoid the ghost peaks that can disrupt your gas or liquid chromatography analyses. We understand the critical importance of purity in your testing processes, which is why we are committed to providing products that ensure accurate and reliable results every time. Prevent Contamination In volatile organic analysis (VOA), avoiding contamination is paramount. Our EPA/VOA septa are engineered to prevent the introduction of contaminants such as siloxanes, fluorinated compounds, acetones, and solvents—ensuring the integrity of your samples during soil and water testing. By choosing SSP, you’re selecting a partner that provides the cleanest, most reliable products available. Choose the Option You Need SSP offers three main types of standard EPA/VOA products to suit your specific requirements: Stand-Alone Septa: Designed for those who require flexibility, our stand-alone septa are not fitted or bonded to caps, offering you versatility in use. Septa Fitted to Caps: Pre-assembled but not bonded, these septa are ready for immediate use and provide convenience without compromising quality. Bonded Caps and Septa: Using our proprietary process, we bond the cap to the septa, ensuring a clean, secure fit without affecting the septa’s low-bleed properties. Choose Specialty Silicone Products At SSP, we work tirelessly to create products that meet your needs and set the standard for quality and performance in the industry. Whether you’re conducting critical analyses or routine tests, our products are designed to support your work with the highest levels of purity and reliability. Thank you for your continued trust in SSP. We look forward to supporting your laboratory with septa and caps that help you achieve the most accurate and reliable results. For more information, contact us.
SSP’s Cap Mats: Precision and Protection for Chromatography Applications
When it comes to chromatography and other laboratory testing, the integrity of your samples is paramount. Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) understands this need and offers 96 well cap mats that provide superior protection and performance. These cap mats are engineered to fit precisely over the wells of microplates, ensuring each sample is securely sealed and protected. High-Quality Materials and Custom Options SSP’s cap mats are crafted from a proprietary platinum-catalyzed, premium-grade, FDA compliant silicone elastomer. This material is known for its durability and resistance to contamination. For applications requiring analytically pure conditions, our Ultra Low Bleed mats are specifically formulated to minimize siloxane peaks, ensuring that your results are free from interference. Cap Mats with Precision Fit and Versatility Our cap mats are available with either round or square plugs to suit different microplate designs. The 96 round cap mats come with two plug diameter options: 7 mm and 8 mm. The 7 mm plugs are ideal for plates holding samples over 1 ml, while the 8 mm plugs are suited for shallower plates with samples under 1 ml. This flexibility ensures a perfect fit and optimal performance for various laboratory needs. Easy Access and Sample Integrity To facilitate easy access to samples, SSP offers cap mats with cross slits. These slits allow pipettes or syringes to penetrate the mat effortlessly, ensuring convenient sample retrieval without compromising the seal. This feature is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your samples by preventing evaporation and contamination. Customization to Meet Unique Needs At SSP, we understand that some projects require bespoke solutions. That’s why we offer custom cap mat configurations, including unique designs and colors. Our in-house, on-site machine shop allows us to design, build, and maintain custom molds efficiently, reducing lead times and costs. Whether you need a specific color to differentiate between samples or a unique design for a specialized application, SSP can accommodate your requirements. Made in the USA All our cap mats are manufactured at our facility in Ballston Spa, New York, ensuring stringent quality control and adherence to high manufacturing standards. We take pride in producing reliable, high-quality products that support critical analytical research and laboratory testing. Product Information For detailed information about our standard cap mats, including dimensions and specifications, please refer to the product tables below. If you have unique requirements, do not hesitate to ask us about custom solutions. Ask SSP for Cap Mats With SSP’s 96 well cap mats, you can trust that your samples are protected, your results are accurate, and your research can proceed without interruption. Choose SSP for superior quality, reliability, and customized solutions in chromatography and laboratory testing. Contact us today.
SSP’s EasyPierce Septa for Chromatography Testing
At Specialty Silicone Products (SSP), we are dedicated to delivering the highest quality components for chromatography testing. Our innovative EasyPierce™ septa exemplify our commitment to manufacturing excellence, analytical purity, and reliability in demanding laboratory environments. Manufacturing Quality SSP’s EasyPierce™ septa are engineered with precision using strong, soft silicones that are platinum-cured for ultra-low bleed. This meticulous manufacturing process ensures that our septa maintain integrity and performance, even after multiple punctures. We also incorporate the highest-quality PTFE liners, designed to meet application-specific requirements, including color customization. Our stringent quality control measures guarantee that each septum meets the highest standards for performance and durability. Analytical Purity In chromatography testing, the purity of components is crucial to obtaining accurate results. SSP’s EasyPierce™ septa are designed to avoid fragmentation, thereby preventing contamination of samples. The cleaner materials we use provide superior barrier properties, essential for preserving the integrity of chemicals and compounds during long-term storage. By ensuring ultra-low bleed and utilizing premium materials, we help maintain the analytical purity necessary for precise testing in various applications, including water purity, vaccine, food and beverage testing, as well as drug and forensic analysis. Reliable Re-Sealing with EasyPierce™ Septa One of the standout features of SSP’s EasyPierce™ septa is their ability to support multiple piercings while remaining leak-free. Our advanced technology combines easy needle penetration with exceptional resealability and resistance to evaporation. Unlike other septa that may compromise on penetration ease, SSP’s EasyPierce™ septa strike the perfect balance, reducing the risk of needle breakage and preventing disruption to autosampler motors. This reliable re-sealing capability makes our septa ideal for laboratory diagnostics and chemical packaging, where repeated access to samples is often required. Regulatory Compliance SSP’s EasyPierce™ septa meet stringent regulatory requirements, including the guidelines defined by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). Our septa are made from elastomeric materials that are FDA white-listed and USP Class VI approved, ensuring they are safe and effective for use in critical applications. This compliance underscores our commitment to providing products that meet the highest standards of safety and performance. Meeting Industry Needs with EasyPierce™ Septa SSP is at the forefront of supplying lined, resealable closures that cater to both end-user and bulk packaging needs. Our EasyPierce™ septa are available in standard and ultra-low bleed versions, offering versatility to meet diverse application requirements. Whether for chemical packaging or laboratory diagnostics, SSP provides custom solutions designed to enhance the efficiency and reliability of your operations. To learn more about our custom septa and how they can benefit your chromatography testing and chemical packaging needs, contact us today.
Custom Formulations and Product Analysis
Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) invites you to watch our Custom Formulations and Product Analysis video and see how we can help you turn your ideas for new materials into reality. At SSP, we have a dedicated R&D and Technology team that does the type of custom formulation and custom development work you’ll typically find only at larger companies. Yet we’re small enough to move quickly. Custom Formulations SSP can provide you with custom silicones in the shapes, sizes, thicknesses, pigments, and performance characteristics that you need. Whether you need a silicone with a certain set of properties or in a specific color, we can translate your application requirements into a new material you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, we’re willing to mix quantities that are too small for larger compounders to formulate. Product Analysis The custom sheets, rolls, and ready-to-mold compounds that SSP offers are available with a full certificate of analysis (COA) for each batch. At our in-house laboratory, we perform tests not only for material properties such as durometer, but also for flexural strength. Our flex tester isn’t the type of equipment you’ll find just anywhere but it lets us cycle materials to determine how long it will take before they crack. New Materials and Silicone Customization SSP’s custom formulation capabilities aren’t limited to brand new materials either. Our R&D and Technology Team can also determine how to produce custom sheets from existing materials in specialized shapes and thicknesses. SSP is your source for bespoke materials you won’t find anywhere else, and we also offer custom molded products such as EMI gaskets and EMI O-rings. Watch our new video to learn more and contact us to request a quote or for additional information.
SSP Prepares for Potential PFAS Restrictions
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly called PFAS, are a category of widely used chemicals with components that break down very slowly over time. They are often called “forever chemicals” because once they are in the environment they tend to stay there. PFAS can be found in a wide range of consumer products like waterproof clothing, non-stick cookware, takeout food containers, and personal care products like shampoo and dental floss. There are thousands of different PFAS, and some have been found in the blood of people and animals, and in water, air, fish, and soil. Studies have shown that some types of PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in people, but not all PFAS are the same. Nevertheless, some regulators are seeking to ban all PFAS broadly, and that’s causing companies to seek alternatives. Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) uses polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a type of polymeric (long chain) PFAS, in the films on most septa products and as carrier films for cured roll products. SSP does not use any of the short-chain PFAS associated with health risks, and we ensure that short-chain PFAS are not present in the inputs we buy. Because SSP does use polymeric (long-chain) PFAS, we are preparing for regulatory scenarios ranging from an outright ban on all PFAS to a ban on only those PFAS with associated health risks. We recognize the effects that a full or partial ban would have on our customers and are tracking developments in both the United States and Europe. We’re also developing new septa products with new films and new materials and identifying suitable alternatives to use in our industrial products in case of a total PFAS ban. As part of our commitment to our customers, SSP is sharing PFAS information like you’ll find in this article. We’re also communicating with our suppliers to understand how they’re preparing for possible regulations, and talking to trade associations and other organizations that can help shape the new rules. In addition, we want you to know how the PFAS we use are different than some of the PFAS you may have heard about. Our products are not water-soluble, and they may ultimately be exempt from regulations What are PFAS? These substances have been released into the environment through the production, use, and disposal of PFAS-containing products such as paint, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foams. Two specific types of PFAS, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), have demonstrated health impacts. They are also among the PFAS substances that the U.S. Geological Survey detected in 45% of tap water samples across the United States. In 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began requiring public water systems to test water supplies for 29 different types of PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS. In Hoosick Falls, New York, a 40-minute drive from SSP’s headquarters, Saint-Gobain and Honeywell were fined $45 million for PFAS remediation associated with PFOA contamination of the village’s water supplies. Like PFOS, PFOA is resistant to typical environmental degradation processes and is linked to cancer and other health concerns. What is the regulatory environment? Three U.S. states have passed legislation that may ultimately ban all PFAS in all products within the next ten years. Maine’s ban takes effect in 2030, and bans in Minnesota and Rhode Island take effect in 2032. Other states have enacted partial PFAS bans that affect specific classes of consumer products. Examples include food packaging, clothing, cookware, cosmetics, furniture, furniture, upholstery, and carpeting along with products for babies and children. In February 2023, the European Chemicals Agency announced a proposal to restrict the use of approximately 10,000 individual PFAS. The open consultation period ended in September 2023, and there isn’t a timeline for when European Union legislation could take effect. The results could range from a total ban on all PFAS to targeted bans on specific PFAS. Alternatively, there could be bans on specific products with exemptions for critical uses. What else do SSP’s customers need to know? The majority of SSP septa products consist of silicone bonded to PTFE. Given the possibility of a full PFAS ban or a partial ban that includes PTFE, we are developing alternative septa formulations using alternate protective polymer films and alternate elastomers that will provide our customers with the performance and purity they expect from SSP products without the use of PTFE. Currently, we have a PFAS-free septa that uses a polypropylene film/silicone rubber formula. We offer this septa in 9mm screw caps and snap caps. We hope to have other alternative options soon. Even without bans on PFAS, the mandated testing of water for specific PFAS means that fluoropolymer-free options for water sampling and analysis will be needed. SSP is working on a line of products that will be compatible with the EPA test methods (Method 531 and Methods 537 and 537.1) in addition to offering resealability, which the current options, like all-polypropylene caps, do not. Finally, we’d like to share that SSP is engaging with industry groups regarding fluorosilicones and potential efforts to ban or restrict them. We’re also continuing to monitor the legislative and regulatory environments so that we can provide customers with up-to-date information. To learn more about how we’re preparing for potential regulatory changes, contact SSP.
Ultra Low Bleed Silicones for Septa
By choosing ultra low bleed septa from SSP, you can minimize contamination risks and protect the analytical purity of samples.
Platinum-Cured Silicones vs. Peroxide Cured Silicones for Septa
Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) uses platinum-cured silicones to produce septa that are ultra-clean for analytical purity. Compared to peroxide-cured silicones, our platinum-cured elastomers are more inert and less likely to interact with your samples. Platinum-curing is more expensive, but our platinum-cured silicones don’t contain byproducts that cause contamination by leeching or bleeding. Silicone Curing Systems Silicones are formed into solids by curing or cross-linking. The most common curing systems use peroxide or platinum. The peroxide or free radical system is the oldest cross-linking chemistry for silicones but releases byproducts such as volatile organic acids (VOAs). By contrast, the platinum curing or addition system releases no byproducts during processing. SSP only uses silicones that are platinum-cured for the highest purity. Our ultra-clean silicones have lower levels of extractables, chemical compounds that migrate from a material under conditions such as elevated temperature or surface exposure. Compared to peroxide systems, platinum curing also offers greater control over cure rates and crosslinking. Analytically Pure, Medical Grade SSP supplies analytically pure, medical-grade silicone septa. At our manufacturing facility in Ballston Spa, New York (USA), we use state-of-the-art cutting and insertion equipment to create both standard and custom septa. We also bond septa to caps using a proprietary technology that won’t affect the silicone’s analytical properties. To learn more about platinum-curing and why you need platinum-cured silicone septa, please contact us.
Welcome to SSP’s Septa Blog
Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) is pleased to introduce a new online resource for members of the laboratory diagnostic, environmental testing, pharmaceutical, and chemical packaging industries. SSP’s Septa Blog is the place to learn about septa, septum cap assemblies, and cap mats for gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (GC), and other applications that require analytical purity. The initial entries in this new blog will describe the differences between peroxide-cured and platinum-silicones, and the importance of using ultra-low bleed silicones to maintain analytical purity. Subsequent topics will include autosampler septa, GC septa, bonded caps, magnetic caps, EPA/VOA septa, cap mats, and resealable septa. We hope you’ll enjoy the information that we’ll share, and encourage you to contact SSP with questions, comments, and suggested topics for future blog entries.