To make an inexpensive chromatographic column and perform chromatography with
it, column walls and a column end with a port are molded integrally from plastic.
A closure is integrally molded with a port as well. One type of closure includes
part of a snap-on fastener integrally molded to it to cooperate with corresponding
parts molded integrally with the column walls and another type of closure is welded
to the tubular walls. In the preferred embodiment the welding is spin welding.
The end and closure have channels molded into them radiating from a port and opening
toward packing material such as silica beads or porous polymeric plugs. Filters
and secondary seals may be located at the ends to prevent leakage of packing material.