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Nebulizer Selection Guide and Understanding Part Numbers

Use the Nebulizer Selection Guide below to choose the most suitable nebulizer for your application.

Nebulizer Selection
Aqueous Solutions without HF for ICP-OES Aqueous Solutions without HF for ICP-MS Solutions Containg HF Organic Solutions Nebulizer Selection Guide Glass Expansion Nebulizers Nebulizer Comparison Value Proposition Understanding Nebulizer Part Numbers

Nebulizer Types

Nebulizer Dead Volume (µL) TDS (%) Particulates (µm) HF Precision Purity Robustness Material
 Conikal 5 5 210 
 No High Good Good Glass
SeaSpray 4 20 200*  No High Good Good Glass
MicroMist 1 15 100*  No High Good Good Glass
Slurry 11 1 280  No High Good Good Glass
OpalMist 4 15 200*  Yes High Excellent Good PFA
DuraMist 4 30 200*  Yes High Good Good PEEK
Ceramic VeeSpray 100 30 550  Yes Moderate Good Excellent Ceramic

*Particle Size Tolerance (µm): 200 = USS1, USS2, DM2, PFA2; 140 = PFA1, DM1; 100 = USS04, PFA04, DM04; 90 = UM02, UM01, UM005; 70 = PFA005, PFA01, PFA02

Glass Expansion Nebulizers

The Global Standard in Nebulizer Innovation

The nebulizer is a critical component of your ICP sample introduction system, so why not opt for the highest quality? Glass Expansion has been manufacturing ICP nebulizers since the early 1980s, and no other manufacturer can match the precision and reproducibility of our trademark VitriCone construction. We are so confident in our manufacturing capabilities that we showcase them for all to see.

Nebulizer Tolerance
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All ICP Nebulizers are NOT created equal

Only Glass Expansion nebulizers include the unique VitriCone construction.

Nebulizer Comparison
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With some brands of glass concentric nebulizers, the sample channel is constructed from drawn-out capillary tubing. The problems with this type of construction are:

  • The tapered tube geometry promotes clogging as the tube narrows.
  • The tubing is fragile and more easily damaged.
  • The tubing can vibrate under the influence of the high speed argon, leading to poor precision.
  • Reproducible performance across different nebulizers is difficult to achieve.

All Glass Expansion concentric glass nebulizers use the unique VitriCone construction for the sample channel. With the VitriCone design, the sample channel is formed from heavy wall, precision bore glass which is machined to very high tolerances. The benefits of the VitriCone construction are:

  • The sample channel's guaranteed uniformity makes it resistant to clogging.
  • The rugged precision machined capillary resists vibration and delivers optimal precision.
  • Industry leading manufacturing tolerances ensure uniform, high performance across all nebulizers.

Value Proposition – Highest Value for Money

Reproducibility – Never a need to re-optimize the parameters when a new nebulizer is installed

  • Saves time
  • Essential for experiments

Long life – High quality and innovative design reduce wear

  • Saves money
  • Reduces downtime

Dependability – over 40 years of experience

  • Applications support saves time experimenting

Understanding Nebulizer Part Numbers


It’s important we understand our nebulizer part numbers as they provide critical nebulizer parameters. Having an understanding of these parameters will also help you choose the proper nebulizer to match your ICP operating conditions.

The number following the 'A' (#) will inform the style of gas fitting included with the particular glass expansion nebulizer.

Typically ICP-OES will run at an optimal nebulizer gas flow close to 0.7L/min whereas ICP-MS instruments typically run closer to 1L/min. Glass Expansion manufactures all of our nebulizer models to run optimally at a specific gas flow rate, which is why it’s important that you choose the correct nebulizer part number to match the particular operating condition of your instrument. The gas flow of a particular glass expansion nebulizer model is indicated by the ‘07’ you see in our part number nomenclature.

Each of our nebulizer models is also designed for a specific liquid flow rate, or a range of liquid flow rates. For example, You do not want to choose a low uptake nebulizer model if you’re running your ICP at 2mL/min as it will degrade the performance and lifetime of that nebulizer. The liquid flow rate of your nebulizer model is indicated ‘02’ in our part number nomenclature.

Each nebulizer model also has it’s certain tolerances and is best suited for specific applications. The Glass Expansion model is indicated by the ‘UM’ in our part number nomenclature. It’s also important to note that all of these uptake rates are the nominal self aspiration rate. It's good to know that you can always starve a nebulizer with your peristaltic pump, but you want to make sure you’re selecting the nebulizer model close to the highest uptake rate that you’re going to be using in your ICP method.

Direct Connection (DC) glass concentric, DuraMist, OpalMist, and VeeSpray nebulizers

Nebulizer Part No Explanation
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Note: All GE nebulizers (with the exception of the Veespray) will self-aspirate at the quoted flow rate, but all can also be pumped (peristaltic pump or syringe drive) at a flow rate equal to or less than the self-aspiration rate. For example, a 2.0mL/min nebulizer can also be pumped at 1.0mL/min.

Direct Connection (DC) Nebulizer Part Number Prefix

Manufacturer Model Nebulizer P/N Prefix (Axx) Gas Line
Agilent Technologies® 4100, 4200 MP11- 70-803-0969
Agilent Technologies® 5100, 5110, 5800, 5900 A13- 70-803-1105
Agilent Technologies® Vista, 700-ES A11- 70-803-0969
Agilent Technologies® 7700, 7800, 7900, 8800, 8900 A13- 70-803-1105
Analytik Jena® ICP-MS A61- 70-803-2002
Analytik Jena® ICP-OES A13- 70-803-1105
Horiba® Jobin Yvon All Models A13- 70-803-1105
Nu Instruments® ICP-MS A51- 70-803-1858
Nu Instruments® TOF-ICP-MS A52- 70-803-2044
PerkinElmer® Optima, PE Avio A21- 70-803-1070
PerkinElmer® NexION 1000, 1100, 2000, 2200, 5000 A23- 70-803-1449
PerkinElmer® Elan/NexION 300/350 A22- 70-803-1049
Shimadzu® All Models A41- 70-803-1311
Spectro™
 All Models A21- 70-803-1070
Thermo Scientific™ PRO, 6000/7000, Q/RQ/TQ, X-Series & Neoma
 A31- 70-803-1105
Thermo Scientific™ MX Series
 A13- 70-803-1105
Thermo Scientific™ Neptune A11- 70-803-0969

U-Series glass concentric, DuraMist, OpalMist, and VeeSpray nebulizers

Nebulizer Part No Explained
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Note: All GE nebulizers (with the exception of the Veespray) will self-aspirate at the quoted flow rate, but all can also be pumped (peristaltic pump or syringe drive) at a flow rate equal to or less than the self-aspiration rate. For example, a 2.0mL/min nebulizer can also be pumped at 1.0mL/min.

For all enquiries or more information:

Contact Glass Expansion