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Capillary Glass & Filaments

Sutter Instrument Company, in addition to the finest micropipette pullers available, offers a wide selection of high quality capillary glasses in various sizes and materials. Though there are many types and sizes of capillary glass available, we have carefully selected only those that pass our criteria. Our expertise in micropipette technology assures you of precision and high quality.

We offer capillary glass tubing in three different compositions; quartz, borosilicate and aluminosilicate. Each composition has its own unique properties and the selection will be determined by your application and your puller’s capabilities.

Fire Polishing
All borosilicate and aluminosilicate capillary glass offered by Sutter Instrument have fire-polished ends. This process eliminates any sharp edges, making it easier to insert into holders, and does not affect the electrical or mechanical properties of the glass.

Custom Pipettes
Sutter Instrument can make custom pipettes and microtools not commonly available from other pipette manufacturers. For example, we make custom pre-pulled beveled pipettes for microinjection. The custom pipettes are considered non-sterile and are manufactured for research applications and non-human use. Please contact Sutter Instrument for further details.

Sizes
Sutter Instrument capillary tubing is available in a broad range of wall thickness which allows you to select the size necessary for your application. The ratios of inside diameter to outside diameter typically run between 0.5mm and 0.75mm with the lower value being referred to as thick wall tubing and the top of the range as thin wall tubing. All other factors being equal, the thicker wall capillaries produce pipettes with longer tapers and smaller tips which make it more suitable for intracellular microelectrodes. These thicker wall pipettes tend to reduce the noise contributions due to capacitance which makes them more suitable for patch clamp pipettes. Thinner wall tubing allows for larger pore openings which make it ideal for microinjection needles and low resistance microelectrodes.

Filamented Glass - TechNote: What is filamented glass and who needs it?
Filamented glass has a small rod of glass annealed to the inner wall and this rod (filament of glass) creates the capillary action required to back-fill the pipette with solution. If the resulting pipette tip is under 1µl and being used for microinjection or being used for recording, we recommend "filamented-glass". The filament in the glass not only provides capillary action for quick filling of the micropipette, it also helps to reduce the incidence of air bubbles when introducing solution into the pipette.

GLASS COMPOSITION

Borosilicate (CORNING 7740)
The most commonly used glass is borosilicate. Sutter Instrument offers only TYPE I-CLASS A borosilicate as described by ASTM Standard 3.1.2*. This glass softens at 821 degrees Celsius and, as it is pulled, maintains its ratio of inside diameter to outside diameter over the total taper length. Borosilicate softens at a lower temperature than our other glasses and has a wider working range. These unique properties allow for a greater variety of shapes used in microelectrodes, patch pipettes, microinjection needles and, in the case of solid rod, chromosome dissection tools.

Aluminosilicate (SCHOTT 8252)
Aluminosilicate softens at a higher temperature (935 degrees Celsius) than borosilicate and is workable over a much narrower range. It has a tendency to continuously thin out as it is drawn which allows extremely fine tips with very short tapers. For example, we have pulled aluminosilicate tips in the 20-30 nanometer range with taper lengths of 5-6 mm. Its resistivity is several orders of magnitude higher than borosilicate, thus reducing leakage currents when used in ion-selective micropipettes. Aluminosilicate is harder than borosilicate which results in a pipette that is more suitable for penetrating tough tissues.

Quartz (HERAEUS HSQ300)
The finest and purest glass available is quartz. It is superior to all other glasses in its mechanical, electrical and optical qualities. It has the lowest dielectric constant, the lowest loss factor and the highest volume resistivity making it ideal for patch clamp recording. Its chemical purity virtually eliminates leakage of ions** and by using quartz in single channel patch clamp recordings the lowest background noise levels have been achieved***. Due to its high melting point, it cannot be pulled on conventional pullers. However, it can be pulled easily with the Sutter CO2 laser-based P-2000.

* ASTM Designation E438-90 - April 1990

** Zuazaga C., Steinacker A. Patch-clamp recording of ion channels: Interfering effects of patch pipette glass. News in Physiological Sciences: International Union of Physiological Sciences and the American Physiological Society: 5:155-158, August 1990

*** Rae, James L., Levis Richard A. A Method for exceptionally low noise single channel recordings. Pflügers Archive; European Journal of Physiology:420:618-620, Springer-Verlag 1992

US PRICES > Glass
International prices vary by country. Please contact your local distributor or Sutter Instrument for a quotation. Prices subject to change without notice.

Thick/Standard Wall Borosilicate Glass
With Filament
Catalog Number Outside Diameter Inside Diameter Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
BF100-50-7.5 1.00 mm 0.50 mm 7.5 cm 225 $66
BF100-50-10 1.00 mm 0.50 mm 10 cm 225 $65
BF100-50-15 1.00 mm 0.50 mm 15 cm 225 $79
BF100-58-10 1.00 mm 0.58 mm 10 cm 250 $61
BF100-58-15 1.00 mm 0.58 mm 15 cm 250 $73
BF120-60-10 1.20 mm 0.60 mm 10 cm 225 $68
BF120-69-7.5 1.20 mm 0.69 mm 7.5 cm 250 $70
BF120-69-10 1.20 mm 0.69 mm 10 cm 250 $68
BF120-69-15 1.20 mm 0.69 mm 15 cm 250 $79
BF150-75-7.5 1.50 mm 0.75 mm 7.5 cm 225 $74
BF150-75-10 1.50 mm 0.75 mm 10 cm 225 $68
BF150-86-7.5 1.50 mm 0.86 mm 7.5 cm 250 $64
BF150-86-10 1.50 mm 0.86 mm 10 cm 250 $66
BF150-86-15 1.50 mm 0.86 mm 15 cm 250 $112
BF200-100-10 2.00 mm 1.00 mm 10 cm 225 $124
BF200-116-10 2.00 mm 1.16 mm 10 cm 250 $124
BF200-116-15 2.00 mm 1.16 mm 15 cm 250 $133
Thick/Standard Wall Borosilicate Glass
Without Filament
Catalog Number Outside Diameter Inside Diameter Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
B100-20-101 1.00 mm 0.20 mm 10 cm 225 $ 141
B100-50-10 1.00 mm 0.50 mm 10 cm 225 $ 63
B100-50-15 1.00 mm 0.50 mm 15 cm 225 $ 112
B100-58-10 1.00 mm 0.58 mm 10 cm 250 $ 63
B100-58-15 1.00 mm 0.58 mm 15 cm 250 $ 64
B114-53-10NP2 1.14 mm 0.53 mm 10 cm 225 $ 61
B120-69-8 1.20 mm 0.69 mm 8 cm 250 $ 59
B120-69-10 1.20 mm 0.69 mm 10 cm 250 $ 68
B120-69-15 1.20 mm 0.69 mm 15 cm 250 $ 64
B150-86-7.5 1.50 mm 0.86 mm 7.5 cm 250 $ 67
B150-86-10 1.50 mm 0.86 mm 10 cm 250 $ 67
B150-86-15 1.50 mm 0.86 mm 15 cm 250 $ 105
B200-116-10 2.00 mm 1.16 mm 10 cm 250 $ 96
B200-116-15 2.00 mm 1.16 mm 15 cm 250 $ 112
1 The ends are not fire polished. Special order minimum of 2.
2 Nanoinjection glass. Ends are not fire-polished.
Heavy Polished Thick/Standard and Thin Walled Borosilicate Glass1
With Filament
Catalog Number Outside Diameter Inside Diameter Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
BF150-86-7.5HP 1.50 mm 0.86 mm 7.5 cm 250 $71
BF150-86-10HP 1.50 mm 0.86 mm 10 cm 250 $71
BF150-110-7.5HP 1.50 mm 1.10 mm 7.5 cm 225 $71
BF150-110-10HP 1.50 mm 1.10 mm 10 cm 225 $71
Heavy Polished Thick/Standard and Thin Walled Borosilicate Glass1
Without Filament
Catalog Number Outside Diameter Inside Diameter Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
B100-30-7.5HP 1.00 mm 0.30 mm 7.5 cm 225 $76
B100-50-7.5HP 1.00 mm 0.50 mm 7.5 cm 225 $75
B150-86-7.5HP 1.50 mm 0.86 mm 7.5 cm 250 $71
B150-86-10HP 1.50 mm 0.86 mm 10 cm 250 $74
B150-110-7.5HP 1.50mm 1.10mm 7.5cm 225 $71
B150-110-10HP 1.50 mm 1.10 mm 10 cm 225 $71
1Useful for added protection of gaskets and wire in headstages.
Thin Wall Borosilicate Glass
With Filament
Catalog Number Outside Diameter Inside Diameter Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
BF100-75-10 1.00 mm 0.75 mm 10 cm 225 $66
BF100-78-10 1.00 mm 0.78 mm 10 cm 250 $64
BF100-78-15 1.00 mm 0.78 mm 15 cm 250 $75
BF120-94-8 1.20 mm 0.94 mm 8 cm 250 $67
BF120-94-10 1.20 mm 0.94 mm 10 cm 250 $64
BF120-94-15 1.20 mm 0.94 mm 15 cm 250 $77
BF150-110-7.5 1.50 mm 1.10 mm 7.5 cm 225 $62
BF150-110-10 1.50 mm 1.10 mm 10 cm 225 $60
BF150-117-10 1.50 mm 1.17 mm 10c m 250 $61
BF150-117-15 1.50 mm 1.17 mm 15 cm 100 $64
BF150-120-10 1.50 mm 1.20 mm 10 cm 250 $54
BF165-120-7.5 1.65 mm 1.20 mm 7.5 cm 225 $54
BF165-120-10 1.65 mm 1.20 mm 10 cm 225 $67
BF200-156-10 2.00 mm 1.56 mm 10 cm 250 $79
BF200-156-15 2.00 mm 1.56 mm 15 cm 100 $85
Thin Wall Borosilicate Glass
Without Filament
Catalog Number Outside Diameter Inside Diameter Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
B100-75-10 1.00 mm 0.75 mm 10 cm 225 $64
B100-75-15 1.00 mm 0.75 mm 15 cm 225 $74
B120-90-8 1.20 mm 0.90 mm 8 cm 225 $61
B120-90-10 1.20 mm 0.90 mm 10 cm 225 $61
B120-90-15 1.20 mm 0.90 mm 15 cm 225 $63
B150-110-7.5 1.50 mm 1.10 mm 7.5 cm 225 $61
B150-110-10 1.50 mm 1.10 mm 10 cm 225 $59
B150-117-10 1.50 mm 1.17 mm 10 cm 225 $71
B200-156-10 2.00 mm 1.56 mm 10 cm 250 $64
B200-156-15 2.00 mm 1.56 mm 15 cm 100 $71
Multibarrel Borosilicate Glass*
With Filament
Catalog Number Number of Barrels Out/Inside Diameter Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
2BF100-50-10 2 barrels 1.00/0.50 10 cm 75 $84
2BF100-75-10 2 barrels 1.00/0.75 10 cm 75 $79
2BF150-86-10 2 barrels 1.50/0.86 10 cm 100 $82
2BF150-86-15 2 barrels 1.50/0.86 15 cm 100 $109
3BF100-50-10 3 barrels 1.00/0.50 10 cm 75 $87
3BF100-75-10 3 barrels 1.00/0.75 10 cm 75 $87
3BF120-69-10 3 barrels 1.20/0.69 10 cm 100 $81
3BF120-69-15 3 barrels 1.20/0.69 15 cm 100 $115
Multibarrel Borosilicate Glass*
Without Filament
Catalog Number Number of Barrels Out/Inside Diameter Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
3B100-75-10 3 barrels 1.00/0.75 10 cm 75 $82
4B100-75-10 4 barrels 1.00/0.75 10 cm 75 $86
* Multibarrel borosilicate requires a custom filament.
Please contact Sutter Instrument for more information when ordering.
Quartz Glass
With Filament
Catalog Number Outside Diameter Inside Diameter Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
QF100-50-7.5 1.00 mm 0.50 mm 7.5 cm 100 $ 174
QF100-50-10 1.00 mm 0.50 mm 10 cm 100 $ 230
QF100-60-7.5 1.00 mm 0.60 mm 7.5 cm 100 $ 172
QF100-60-10 1.00 mm 0.60 mm 10 cm 100 $ 238
QF100-70-7.5 1.00 mm 0.70 mm 7.5 cm 100 $ 206
QF100-70-10 1.00 mm 0.70 mm 10 cm 100 $ 224
QF100-70-15 1.00 mm 0.70 mm 15 cm 100 $ 258
QF120-60-7.5 1.20 mm 0.60 mm 7.5 cm 100 $ 200
QF120-60-10 1.20 mm 0.60 mm 10 cm 100 $ 230
QF120-90-10 1.20 mm 0.90 mm 10 cm 100 $ 166
QF150-75-7.5 1.50 mm 0.75 mm 7.5 cm 100 $ 166
QF150-75-10 1.50 mm 0.75 mm 10 cm 100 $ 196
Quartz Glass
Without Filament
Catalog Number Outside Diameter Inside Diameter Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
Q100-30-7.5 1.00 mm 0.30 mm 7.5 cm 100 $ 187
Q100-30-15 1.00 mm 0.30 mm 15 cm 100 $ 176
Q100-50-7.5 1.00 mm 0.50 mm 7.5 cm 100 $ 173
Q100-50-10 1.00 mm 0.50 mm 10 cm 100 $ 230
Q100-70-7.5 1.00 mm 0.70 mm 7.5 cm 100 $ 151
Q100-70-10 1.00 mm 0.70 mm 10 cm 100 $ 235
Q114-53-10NP* 1.14 mm 0.53 mm 10 cm 100 $ 220
Q120-40-7.5 1.20 mm 0.40 mm 7.5 cm 100 $ 253
Q120-60-7.5 1.20 mm 0.60 mm 7.5 cm 100 $ 238
Q120-90-7.5 1.20 mm 0.90 mm 7.5 cm 100 $ 204
Q120-90-10 1.20 mm 0.90 mm 10 cm 100 $ 258
Q150-50-7.5 1.50 mm 0.50 mm 7.5 cm 100 $ 244
Q150-75-7.5 1.50 mm 0.75 mm 7.5 cm 100 $ 172
Q150-75-10 1.50 mm 0.75 mm 10 cm 100 $ 173
Q150-110-10 1.50 mm 1.10 mm 10 cm 100 $ 253
Q165-115-10 1.65 mm 1.15 mm 10 cm 100 $ 224
* Nanoinjection glass. The ends are not fire-polished.
Solid Quartz Rod
Catalog Number Style Outside Diameter Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
QR100-7.5 solid 1.00 mm 7.5 cm 100 $ 106
QR100-10 solid 1.00 mm 10 cm 100 $ 106
QR100-15 solid 1.00 mm 15 cm 100 $ 105
Quartz Theta Glass
Catalog Number Outside Diameter Septum Thickness Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
QT120-90-7.5 1.20/0.9 mm 0.15 mm 7.5 cm 50 $ 114
Aluminosilicate Glass
With Filament
Catalog Number Outside Diameter Inside Diameter Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
AF100-64-10 1.00 mm 0.64 mm 10 cm 100 $ 176
AF120-77-10 1.20 mm 0.77 mm 10 cm 100 $ 176
AF120-87-10 1.20 mm 0.87 mm 10 cm 100 $ 176
AF150-100-10 1.50 mm 1.00 mm 10 cm 100 $ 176
Aluminosilicate Glass
Without Filament
Catalog Number Outside Diameter Inside Diameter Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
A100-64-10 1.00 mm 0.64 mm 10 cm 100 $ 151
A120-77-10 1.20 mm 0.77 mm 10 cm 100 $ 151
A120-87-10 1.20 mm 0.87 mm 10 cm 100 $ 151
A150-100-10 1.50 mm 1.00 mm 10 cm 100 $ 151
Borosilicate Theta Glass
Catalog Number O.D/I.D. Septum Thickness Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
BT-150-10 1.50/1.17 mm 0.165 mm 10 cm 100 $ 129
Solid Borosilicate Rod
Catalog Number Style Outside Diameter Overall Length Pieces per Package Price
BR-100-10 solid 1.00 mm 10 cm 250 $ 76
BR-100-15 solid 1.00 mm 15 cm 250 $ 85

US PRICES > Filaments and Accessories
International prices vary by country. Please contact your local distributor or Sutter Instrument for a quotation. Prices subject to change without notice.

FILAMENTS (Minimum purchase of filaments is 4)
Appropriate filament selection depends on your research application, but a general guideline for filaments is as follows:

Box Filaments - Recommended for small to large diameter borosilicate glass, double barreled, or aluminosilicate glass. Box filaments are particularly suitable for patch pipettes, slice preparations, and for sharp electrodes and microinjection pipettes where gradual parallel walls would aid cell penetration. When using a box filament, the size of the square box should be approximately 1.0mm to 1.5mm larger than the outside diameter of the glass that you will be using.

For IVF and ICSI applications, a 2.5mm x 4.5mm box filament (FB245B) is recommended. For pronuclear injection work, we recommend a 2.5 mm x 2.5 mm box filament (FB255B). Call for more specific advice or to request a combination of settings, filaments, and glass for your application.

Trough Filaments - Excellent general purpose filaments and are recommended for creating longer slice patch pipettes and sharp electrodes. The trough filament is not ideal for making patch pipettes or when using glass over 1.2 mm OD. If very short tapers are required for patch electrodes or for microinjection, a 2.5 mm or 3 mm box filament is recommended.

Custom Filaments - A custom filament can be created if your pipette needs can not be met by one of the standard box or trough filaments. Please call Sutter for details.

Sutter pre-programs the P-97 with a 2.5 mm x 2.5 mm box filament unless an alternative filament is requested.

For either shape of filament (box or trough), increasing the filament width tends to increase the length of the pipette taper. If there are specific questions as to the sizes needed, please call and our technical support staff will guide you in your choice.

Trough filament Box filament
Loop filament Nichrome filament
Box Filaments  
Catalog Number Description Price
FB215B 2.0 mm square box filament, 1.5 mm wide $55
FB220B 2.0 mm square box filament, 2.0 mm wide $55
FB230B 2.0 mm square box filament, 3.0 mm wide $55
FB255B 2.5 mm square box filament, 2.5 mm wide $55
FB245B1 2.5 mm square box filament, 4.5 mm wide $55
FB315B 3.0 mm square box filament, 1.5 mm wide $55
FB320B 3.0 mm square box filament, 2.0 mm wide $55
FB330B 3.0 mm square box filament, 3.0 mm wide $55
Trough Filaments  
Catalog Number Description Price
FT315B 1.5 mm wide trough filament $55
FT320B 2.0 mm wide trough filament $55
FT330B 3.0 mm wide trough filament $55
FT345B 4.5 mm wide trough filament $55
Custom Filaments  
Catalog Number Description Price
FILAMENT Custom platinum/iridium filament (Phone Sutter for details) $82
P-30 Filaments  
Catalog Number Description Price
PF30T15 1.5 mm wide trough filament $55
PF30T20 2.0 mm wide trough filament $55
PF30T30 3.0 mm wide trough filament $55
PF30N2 Nichrome filament – 3 turns (BEFORE SN# P30-680) $55
PF30N-42 Nichrome filament – 4 turns (AFTER SN# P30-679) $55
P-77A Loop Filaments  
Catalog Number Description Price
(SN# 160 and greater)
FL315A 3.0 mm loop filament, 1.5 mm wide $55
FL320A 3.0 mm loop filament, 2.0 mm wide $55
FL325A 3.0 mm loop filament, 2.5 mm wide $55
(SN# less than 160)
FL315X 3.0 mm loop filament, 1.5 mm wide $55
FL320X 3.0 mm loop filament, 2.0 mm wide $55
FL325X 3.0 mm loop filament, 2.5 mm wide $55
Accessories  
Catalog Number Description Price
FPS Fire polishing spacer for P-97, P-87, P-2000 pullers $38
FS1875 Platinum/iridium sheet, 18 mm x 75 mm x 0.05 mm (0.002 in) $473
CTS Ceramic tile for scoring glass $29
BX10 Pipette storage box - Holds 10 (4 3/4 x 3 5/8 x 3/4 in) $23
BX20 Pipette storage box - Holds 20 (7 x 3 5/8 x 3/4 in) $23

1 For P-87, please contact Sutter
2 P-30/N pullers (serial number lower than P-30-680) came with a P30N filament installed. You can now select either the P30N or P30N-4 filament. With the P30N-4 you can 1) use lower heat settings, 2) pull longer tapers (2-3cm) and 3) use aluminosilicate glass. If you need to pull very short tapers, the P30N is recommended.