Crimp Top Vials

Quick Answer: Crimp Top Vials are small sample vials whose neck is sealed by crimping an aluminium cap with a septum over it. Crimp top vials are mainly used to hold samples for gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) autosamplers, where a tight seal limits evaporation.

How a Crimp Seal Works

The vial neck has a flat rim with a lip underneath. A cap made of thin aluminium, holding a septum of rubber or silicone often faced with PTFE, is placed over the rim, and a hand crimper squeezes the cap’s skirt under the lip. The result is a seal that stays tight even with volatile solvents, which is why crimp vials are often chosen for GC. The autosampler needle pierces the septum, draws the sample and withdraws, and the septum largely closes again.

Compared with screw-top vials, crimp vials seal more consistently and suit long runs of volatile samples, but they need a crimper to close and a decapper to open, and caps cannot be reused. Screw-top vials are quicker to handle and can be reopened, so they are common for routine HPLC work. Screw cap vials are listed separately for that purpose.

In biology and biochemistry labs, crimp vials hold plant extracts, essential oils, fatty acid methyl esters and other samples prepared for chromatography. The listing does not state the vial volume, neck size or whether the glass is clear or amber, and those details must match both the caps and the autosampler rack.

Specifications

Applications

• GC analysis of essential oils, solvents and fatty acid methyl esters
• HPLC analysis of plant extracts, pigments and drug samples in pharmacy and biotechnology labs
• Sealed storage of small volumes of volatile standards
• Teaching chromatography practicals where students prepare and load their own vials

Filling and Sealing

• Fill each vial to about three-quarters so the needle does not push sample out and there is room for pressure changes.
• Set the crimper so the cap is tight enough not to turn by hand but not so tight that the septum bulges or the glass cracks.
• Place the PTFE face of the septum towards the sample.
• Discard used vials as chemical waste according to your lab’s rules; do not reuse pierced caps.

Why Choose LabEquip

Analytical chemistry, pharmacy and biotechnology labs order crimp vials in quantity, matched to the caps and autosampler they already use. LabEquip lists them in Biology Lab Products; send the volume, neck size and instrument details through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are crimp top vials used for?

They hold liquid samples for GC and HPLC autosamplers and for sealed storage of small volumes. The crimped aluminium cap gives a tight, consistent seal that limits evaporation.

What do I need to seal a crimp vial?

An aluminium crimp cap with a septum of the correct size and a hand or powered crimper. A decapper is useful for opening vials after analysis.

Should I choose crimp or screw top vials?

Choose crimp tops for volatile samples and long autosampler sequences where seal consistency matters. Choose screw tops when vials must be opened and closed often or when no crimper is available.

How full should an autosampler vial be?

Fill to roughly three-quarters of its volume. Overfilling can push sample out through the pierced septum, while very small volumes need an insert so the needle can reach the liquid.

Which way should the septum face?

Most septa have a PTFE face and a rubber or silicone back. The PTFE side should face the sample, as it resists solvents and prevents the rubber contaminating the sample.

Which sizes and glass colours are available?

Crimp vials are made in several volumes and neck sizes, in clear or amber glass. The listing does not give these details, so confirm them when you enquire.

Last Updated: September 2026