Metal Columns

Metal Column

Agilent Metal GC Columns

Agilent Metal GC Columns provide exceptional robustness, durability, and performance for demanding applications where conventional fused-silica capillary columns may be limited. Constructed from high-strength, corrosion-resistant stainless steel or metal-clad tubing, these columns deliver enhanced mechanical stability, tight tolerance control, and reliable inertness across a wide range of analytical conditions—including high-pressure, high-temperature, and rugged process environments.

Designed for both laboratory and industrial settings, Agilent metal columns are available in a broad range of selectivities and formats, including Simulated Distillation phases for boiling-point distribution analysis, Standard Phases & PEG chemistries for general-purpose separations, PLOT (Porous Layer Open Tubular) configurations for permanent gases and light hydrocarbons, and Application Specific solutions tailored to petrochemical, environmental, refining, and specialty chemical workflows. Their metal construction provides improved resistance to breakage, easier installation in challenging GC systems, and compatibility with process GC configurations and high-throughput routine analysis.

Whether used to extend column lifetime in harsh environments, increase method reliability, or support critical applications such as simulated distillation and trace-level hydrocarbon monitoring, Agilent metal columns offer stable performance, excellent repeatability, and the ruggedness required to maintain consistent, high-quality chromatographic results across a wide range of operating conditions.
Key Definitions â–¸
Metal GC Columns
Gas chromatography columns constructed from stainless steel or metal-clad tubing rather than fused silica. They provide superior mechanical durability, pressure tolerance, and ruggedness for demanding laboratory and process environments.
Simulated Distillation (SIMDIS)
A GC technique that measures the boiling-point distribution of petroleum fractions, fuels, and distillates. Metal SIMDIS columns provide the stability and robustness needed for high-temperature analyses and compliance with ASTM methods such as D2887 and D7169.
PLOT Columns
Columns featuring a porous adsorbent layer deposited on the inner wall of the tubing. Ideal for permanent gases, light hydrocarbons, and VOCs, metal PLOT constructions offer improved mechanical strength and reduced risk of breakage during installation or operation.
PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) Phases
Highly polar stationary phases used for separating alcohols, solvents, and oxygenates. Metal-based PEG columns provide enhanced physical stability and are well suited for rugged or process-level GC applications.
Application-Specific Metal Columns
Metal GC columns formulated with selectivities tailored for niche workflows such as petrochemical impurity profiling, refinery gas analysis, industrial VOC monitoring, and specialty chemical characterization.
Frequently Asked Questions â–¸
When should a metal GC column be used instead of a fused-silica column?
Metal GC columns are recommended for high-pressure, high-temperature, or physically rugged environments where fused-silica columns may break or lose performance. They are ideal for petrochemical, process GC, refinery gas, and industrial applications requiring maximum durability.
Are metal GC columns compatible with standard laboratory GC instruments?
Yes. Agilent metal columns are designed to be fully compatible with conventional GC systems and detectors, using standard installation hardware. They also integrate seamlessly with process GC configurations requiring ruggedized components.
What are the advantages of metal PLOT columns?
Metal PLOT columns provide enhanced mechanical stability and reduced risk of breakage during installation. They also maintain uniform porous layer adhesion, improving reproducibility for permanent gases, hydrocarbons, and VOC analyses.
Can metal GC columns be used for high-temperature applications such as simulated distillation?
Absolutely. Metal columns offer superior thermal stability and are well suited for SIMDIS methods such as ASTM D2887 and D7169, where elevated temperatures and demanding operating conditions require rugged and reliable column performance.