VWR Hitachi Chromaster HPLC System

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography for today and tomorrow

The VWR Hitachi Chromaster® is a modular, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) platform designed to deliver outstanding performance, excellent reproducibility, intuitive operation, and long-term robustness—in a compact footprint that fits modern QC and R&D labs.
With up to 60 MPa (600 bar) system capability (depending on configuration), Chromaster supports both standard HPLC and near-UHPLC performance with small-particle and core-shell columns—helping users achieve higher resolution and shorter analysis times without sacrificing reliability.

 

Key benefits

Outstanding performance & reproducibility

• High Frequency Mode (HFM) low-pressure gradient technology, combined with Hitachi’s high-speed real-time feedback control, helps suppress pulsation and improves gradient and retention-time reproducibility.

• Excellent injection precision and extremely low carry-over through optimized autosampler flow paths and dedicated needle washing design.

Easy-to-use, easy-to-maintain

• Optional GUI touch controller enables stand-alone module control, sequence runs, and programmable Wakeup/Sleep routines to automate conditioning and standby.

• Service and consumable access from the front side, with smart module layout to reduce tangling of tubes and cables.

Robust, built for longevity

• Heat-resistant, chemical-tolerant outer covers; stainless-steel internal walls to reduce corrosion from humidi
ty/solvent vapors.

• Built-in safety and protection features such as leak sensors in all modules, autosampler door lock, and automatic power shut-off during lamp replacement.

 

Modular configuration (system architecture)

Chromaster is a fully modular HPLC system built from:

• Pumps: 5110 / 5160

• Autosamplers: 5260 (loop injection) / 5280 (direct injection)

• Column ovens: 5310 / 6310

• Detectors: 5410 UV, 5420 UV-VIS, 5430 Diode Array (DAD), 5440 Fluorescence, 5450 RI

• Optional MS detector: 5610 MS Detector (ESI)

• Organizer / power module and optional control interfaces & software

 

Technical specifications (main modules)

5110 / 5160 Pump

Pumping system: Dual plunger reciprocating; series connection pulsation elimination.

Flow range:

• 5110: 0.001–9.999 mL/min

• 5160: 0.001–5.000 mL/min

Maximum operating pressure:

• 5110: 40 MPa (0.001–5.000 mL/min), 20 MPa (5.001–9.999 mL/min)

• 5160: 60 MPa (0.001–2.500 mL/min), 30 MPa (2.501–5.000 mL/min)

Flow rate accuracy: ±1.0% or ±2.0 μL/min (whichever is greater), under specified conditions.
Flow rate precision: SD 0.02 min or RSD 0.075% (whichever is greater), under specified conditions.
Wetted materials: Stainless steel, ruby, sapphire, ceramics, PTFE, carbon-containing PTFE; plus PEEK (auto-purge valve unit) or Vespel (auto-purge valve).
GLP functions (examples): total flow display, valve changeover counts, purge and mixer runtime, plunger wash pump operating time.
Dimensions / weight: 340(W) × 440(D) × 140(H) mm, approx. 16 kg.
Power: DC 24 V, 4 A (max), 96 W (from organizer).
Auto-purge valve: available as option (pump versions with/without).

Optional Low-Pressure Quaternary Gradient Unit:
Up to 4 solvents, electromagnetic valve open/close time control, composition accuracy ±0.5% (5–95%), recommended flow 0.4–1.8 mL/min.

 

5260 / 5280 Autosampler

Two designs to match application needs (both rated to 60 MPa).

Sample capacity:

• 5260: 120 × 1.5 mL (standard)

• 5280: 200 × 1.5 mL (standard)

Injection system:

• 5260: Loop injection (cut injection / all-volume / full-loop)

• 5280: Direct injection

Syringe volume:

• 5260: 175 μL (standard; optional syringes available)

• 5280: 100 μL (standard; optional syringes available)

Injection volume:

• 5260: 0.1–50 μL (100 μL loop, standard); 0.1–100 μL (200 μL loop accessory)

• 5280: 0.1–50 μL

Injection precision (selected specs):

• 5260: ≤0.2% RSD (10 μL, cut injection), ≤0.25% RSD (5 μL, cut), ≤0.9% RSD (1 μL, cut), ≤1.0% RSD (1 μL, all-volume), ≤0.2% RSD (5 μL, full-loop)

• 5280: ≤0.3% RSD (10 μL, standard syringe)

Carry-over: ≤0.003% (cut method) / ≤0.003% under specified conditions.
Wetted materials: Stainless steel, Vespel, fluororesin, PP, EPDM, PEEK, UHMWPE (plus DLC on 5280 list).

Temperature control (optional versions):

• 5260 with thermostat: set 1–45 °C (1 °C step); vial range [RT−21 °C] to [RT+25 °C] (within setting range) and micro-plate range [RT−15 °C] to [RT+20 °C] (within setting range).

• 5280 with thermo unit: set 1–35 °C (1 °C step); cooling to 4–(RT−5) °C (ambient 15–25 °C, 60% humidity).

Dimensions / weight:

• 5260: 340 × 440 × 280 mm, approx. 24 kg (with thermostat: 340 × 500 × 280 mm, approx. 29 kg)

• 5280: 340 × 520 × 320 mm, approx. 23 kg (with thermo unit: approx. 26 kg)

Power:

• 5260: DC 24 V, 4 A (max) / 96 W (from organizer); AC 100–240 V, 110 VA (with thermostat)

• 5280: DC 24 V, 4 A; AC 100–240 V ±10%, 110 VA (with thermo unit)

 

5310 / 6310 Column Oven

5310 Column Oven

• Temperature setting: 1–85 °C (1 °C step); control range [ambient −15 °C] to [ambient +60 °C] (and within setting range).

• Temperature accuracy: ±1.0 °C (20–85 °C; part of pre-heat).

• Temperature precision: SD ≤0.2 °C (specified condition).

• Column capacity: up to 3 × 300 mm columns.

• Dimensions / weight: 410 × 440 × 140 mm, approx. 13 kg.

• Power: AC 100–240 V, 230 VA (with optional valves).

6310 Column Oven

• Temperature setting: 1–90 °C (1 °C step); control range [ambient −15 °C] to [ambient +75 °C] (and within setting range).

• Temperature accuracy: ±0.5 °C (20–50 °C), ±1.0 °C (51–90 °C) after calibration.

• Temperature precision: ±0.1 °C (20–90 °C).

• Dimensions / weight: 165 × 515 × 689 mm (legs not included), approx. 25 kg.

• Power: AC 100–240 V, 300 VA.

 

5410 UV Detector

• Optics: Double-beam ratio photometric system

• Light source: D2 lamp + Hg lamp for wavelength checks

• Wavelength range: 190–600 nm; accuracy ±1 nm; bandwidth 6 nm

• Noise: ≤0.5 × 10⁻⁵ AU (250 nm); Drift: ≤1.0 × 10⁻⁴ AU/h (250 nm) (specified conditions)

• 2-wavelength measurement: regions 190–350 nm and 351–600 nm; sampling down to 400 ms under conditions

• Flow cell: 13 μL, 10 mm optical path; optional thermostatted flow cell (4–30 °C environment range)

• Dimensions / weight: 340 × 440 × 140 mm; approx. 14 kg

• Power: DC 24 V, 2.5 A (max) / 60 W (from organizer)

 

5420 UV-VIS Detector

• Optics: Double-beam ratio photometric

• Light source: D2 + W + Hg

• Wavelength range: 190–900 nm; accuracy ±1 nm; bandwidth 6 nm

• Noise: ≤0.5 × 10⁻⁵ AU (250/600 nm); Drift: ≤1.0 × 10⁻⁴ AU/h (250/600 nm) (specified conditions)

• Flow cell: 13 μL, 10 mm optical path; optional thermostatted flow cell (4–30 °C environment range)

• Dimensions / weight: 340 × 440 × 140 mm; approx. 14 kg

 

5430 Diode Array Detector (DAD)

• Detection: 1,024-bit PDA

• Light source: D2 + W + Hg

• Wavelength range: 190–900 nm; accuracy ±1 nm

• Noise: ≤0.5 × 10⁻⁵ AU (250/600 nm); Drift: ≤0.4 × 10⁻³ AU/h (250/600 nm) (specified conditions)

• Slit: 1 nm / 4 nm (variable)

• Flow cell: 13 μL, 10 mm optical path; optional thermostat flow cell (15–30 °C environment range)

• Dimensions / weight: 340 × 440 × 140 mm; approx. 14 kg

 

5440 Fluorescence Detector

• Light source: Xe lamp + Hg lamp for wavelength checks

• Wavelength range: Ex 200–850 nm; Em 250–900 nm (photomultiplier changes at ≥731 nm)

• Wavelength accuracy: ±3 nm

• Spectral bandwidth: Ex 15 nm; Em 15/30 nm (variable)

• Sensitivity: >900 S/N (water Raman; specified conditions)

• Flow cell irradiation volume: 12 μL; optional thermostat flow cell (4–30 °C environment range)

• Dimensions / weight: 340 × 440 × 280 mm; approx. 25 kg

• Power: AC 100–240 V / 330 VA (organizer not required)

 

5450 Refractive Index (RI) Detector

• RI range: 1.0–1.75

• Noise: ≤2.5 × 10⁻⁹ RIU; Drift: ≤0.2 × 10⁻⁶ RIU/h

• Time constant: 0.05–6 s

• Temperature control: OFF or 30–50 °C

• Dimensions / weight: 340 × 440 × 140 mm; approx. 13 kg

• Power: DC 24 V, 5 A (max) / 120 W (max) (from organizer)

 

Organizer (solvent placement + power supply)

• Output power: DC 24 V, 450 W

• Supplies power to: one pump, one autosampler, one detector (UV / UV-VIS / DAD / RI) and one interface control board

• Bottle capacity / space: up to 6 × 1.0 L + 3 × 500 mL (max); 314(W) × 280.8(D) mm

• Dimensions / weight: 340 × 420 × 200 mm; approx. 9 kg

• Power: AC 100–240 V, 520 VA

 

5610 MS Detector (optional)

Designed for HPLC users needing additional qualitative information when UV spectra are insufficient.

• Ion source: Electrospray ionization (ESI)

• Mass range: m/z 20–1,000

• Dimensions / weight: 440(W) × 610(D) × 430(H) mm; approx. 51 kg

• Power: AC 200–240 V, 1,000 VA

• Nitrogen usage: max 3.4 L/min; pressure 300 ± 20 kPa

 

Control, software & CDS compatibility

Chromaster can be operated via:

• Optional GUI touch controller (5.7″ color TFT with touchscreen) enabling integrated control, sequences, programmable Wakeup/Sleep, and consumables monitoring.

• Chromaster System Manager software for method creation, data acquisition, chromatogram & DAD processing, and reporting.

• Drivers / licenses available for major CDS platforms including OpenLab® CDS, Chromeleon® (6.8 & 7.x), Empower3®, and Clarity.