Guard Columns

Chrom Tech offers a complete range of guard columns and column protection components designed to extend analytical column life and maintain consistent chromatographic performance. From unpacked IDEX guard housings to high-pressure EXP guard cartridges and Agilent InfinityLab Poroshell columns, these solutions help prevent particulate contamination before it reaches your primary column.

Guard columns act as a first line of defense against debris, sample residue, and mobile-phase contaminants that can clog column frits and increase backpressure. By capturing particles upstream, they reduce downtime, preserve peak shape, and lower overall cost per analysis—especially in high-throughput HPLC and UHPLC environments.

Chrom Tech supports both analytical and UHPLC workflows with options ranging from flexible unpacked guard hardware to hand-tight EXP guard cartridges rated up to 15,000 PSI. For complete method development, you can also shop phase-specific LC columns and Agilent Poroshell 120 technology to match your chemistry while maintaining consistent protection across your flow path.

Whether you’re safeguarding an existing method or building a new separation from the ground up, Chrom Tech delivers reliable guard column solutions engineered to protect your investment and keep systems running at peak performance.

Guard Column Categories

Explore popular guard columns and guard solutions to protect analytical columns and extend column life.

Key Definitions ▶
Frequently Asked Questions ▶
Why should I use a guard column?
Guard columns capture particulates and contaminants before they reach your analytical column, helping prevent frit blockage, reduce backpressure buildup, and significantly extend column lifetime.
What’s the difference between unpacked guards and cartridge-style guards?
Unpacked guards allow you to load your own stationary phase for maximum flexibility, while cartridge-style guards use pre-packed inserts for fast replacement and minimal downtime.
How often should guard columns be replaced?
Replacement frequency depends on sample cleanliness and application, but common indicators include rising backpressure, peak distortion, or reduced resolution. Many labs replace guard cartridges every few hundred injections.
Can I use guard columns with UHPLC systems?
Yes. Many modern guard systems are rated for UHPLC pressures and offer low-dead-volume designs to preserve efficiency while protecting high-performance analytical columns.
Do guard columns affect chromatographic results?
When properly matched to your analytical column, guard columns have minimal impact on retention while improving system stability. Using the same or compatible stationary phase helps maintain consistent separation behavior.