Save time and money by finding the right GC columns fast!
- We offer a wide variety of stationary phases and column configurations so you can find the best column for your analyses.
- Our high-quality brands deliver results you can trust—our premium Rxi columns maximize accuracy for trace-level analysis and our standard Rtx columns are a dependable solution for general use.
- Restek can help you speed up and simplify your work. Use our free online EZGC chromatogram modeler to get recommended columns and conditions customized specifically to your list of analytes.
Whether you are beginning method development or running a routine procedure, chances are good that you are using a 1-, 5-, or wax-type gas chromatography (GC) column. These general-purpose columns are the cornerstone for safety, quality, and purity testing in many industries, including clinical, environmental, food safety, food quality, forensic, petrochemical, and more. From measuring trace-levels of pesticide residues to quantifying drug impurities, 1, 5, and wax fused silica columns are the laboratory workhorses that GC analysts depend on to deliver accurate, reliable results.
Because many analyses can be done using either 1-, 5-, or wax-type columns, Restek offers them in a full range of column dimensions and deactivation chemistries for many diverse applications. With an extensive selection of chemistries and configurations, we can provide the best GC columns for your work. Whether you choose a product from our flagship Rxi line or our standard Rtx line, we guarantee that you will receive an exceptionally high-quality fused silica column that you can trust to deliver the accurate, reproducible data you need.
In addition to our broad inventory of 1, 5, and wax columns, Restek also offers convenient tools to help you find the best column quickly. Simply copy and paste your analyte list into our free online EZGC chromatogram modeler, and in just seconds, you will receive a modeled chromatogram using the column and conditions recommended specifically for your analysis.
With Restek, you can get started quickly and save time and money by choosing the right 1, 5, and wax columns for your work!
Which 1-Type Column is Best for You?
1-type fused silica GC columns have a nonpolar stationary phase (100% dimethyl polysiloxane). Since this is a nonpolar phase, retention and selectivity for extremely polar analytes will not be as good as on more polar phases, such as wax columns. Columns with 1-type phases may differ slightly in temperature limitations, inertness, and selectivity due to optimization of the column chemistry. In general, these nonpolar stationary phases are used for applications such as analysis of volatiles, oxygenates, sulfurs, fire debris components, derivatized steroid hormones, solvents, detailed hydrocarbons, crude oil, and tarballs. Restek’s Rxi-1HT column is specifically recommended for high-temperature analysis. Use the table below to quickly and easily find the Restek 1-type column that is best for your applications.
1-Type Column Characteristics and Recommended Applications
Choose the best 1-type column for your application quickly and easily based on the column characteristics and recommended uses in the table below. Click on the column name for product ordering information and chromatograms.
| Standard Phase | Standard Phase | Specialty Phase | |
| Restek | Rxi-1ms | Rtx-1 | Rxi-1HT |
| Polarity | Nonpolar | Nonpolar | Nonpolar |
| Min Temp. (°C) | -60 | -60 | -60 |
| Max Isothermal Temp. (°C)* | 330 | 330 | 400 |
| Max Programmable Temp. (°C)* | 350 | 350 | 400 |
| Integra-Guard Available? | No | Yes | No |
| Best for | MS and trace analysis | General purpose | High temperature |
| Typical Applications | Petroleum hydrocarbons, toxic organic compounds in ambient air, fire/arson accelerants, ignitable liquids, derivatized steroid hormones, volatile sulfur compounds, chemical volatiles | Hydrocarbon gases, sulfur compounds, chlorofluorocarbons, solvents | Petroleum hydrocarbons, crude oils, tarballs, total petroleum hydrocarbons |
| Other applications? Use Restek’s EZGC Chromatogram Modeler to find the best column for your analyte list. | |||
| *Max temperatures may vary with column dimensions, see product page for details. | |||
Structures of 1-Type Columns
Using a non-Restek column? Find an equivalent phase fast with our column cross-reference!
Which 5-Type Column is Best for You?
5-type fused silica GC columns have slightly polar stationary phases that differ in their composition, temperature limits, inertness, and selectivity. In general, these slightly polar stationary phases are well suited for a broad range of compounds classes, including semivolatiles, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), drugs of abuse, mineral oil hydrocarbons, melamine, residual solvents, and PCBs. The unique Rtx-5 Amine column was designed to provide maximum inertness for basic compound analysis. In addition, the Rxi-5Sil column offers a unique selectivity for hard-to-resolve compounds. Use the table below to quickly and easily find the best 5-type column for your applications. Don’t forget to consider maximum temperature!
5-Type Column Characteristics and Recommended Applications
Choose the best 5-type column for your application quickly and easily based on the column characteristics and recommended uses in the table below. Click on the column name for product ordering information and chromatograms.
| Standard Phase | Standard Phase | Standard Phase | Standard Phase | Application-Specific Phase | Specialty Phase | Specialty Phase | |
| Restek | Rxi-5Sil MS | Rxi-5ms | Rtx-5ms | Rtx-5 | Rtx-1614 | Rxi-5HT | Rtx-5 Amine |
| Polarity | Low polarity | Low polarity | Low polarity | Low polarity | Low polarity | Low polarity | Low polarity |
| Min Temp. (°C) | -60 | -60 | -60 | -60 | -60 | -60 | -60 |
| Max Programmable Temp. (°C)* | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 400 | 315 |
| Integra-Guard Available? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Best for | MS and trace analysis | MS and trace analysis | MS and trace analysis | General purpose | Specific application | High temperature | Specific application |
| Typical Applications | Semivolatile organic compounds (including EPA SVOCs), priority pollutants, drugs of abuse, chlorinated dioxins and furans | Pesticide residues in food, semivolatile organic compounds (including EPA SVOCs), priority pollutants | Semivolatile organic compounds (including EPA SVOCs), priority pollutants, melamine | Aroclor PCBs, solvents | Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) | Petroleum hydrocarbons, crude oils, tarballs, total petroleum hydrocarbons | Specialty amines |
| Other applications? Use Restek’s EZGC Chromatogram Modeler to find the best column for your analyte list. | |||||||
| *Max temperatures may vary with column dimensions, see product page for details. | |||||||
Structures of 5-Type Columns
| Column | Type | Structure |
| Rxi-5Sil MS | Silarylene 5% phenyl 95% Dimethyl polysiloxane |
 |
| Rxi-5ms, Rtx-5ms, Rtx-5, Rxi-5HT |
5% Diphenyl 95% dimethyl polysiloxane |
 |
| Rtx-1614, Rtx-5 Amine |
5% Diphenyl 95% dimethyl polysiloxane |
Proprietary structure/deactivation |
Using a non-Restek column? Find an equivalent phase fast with our column cross-reference!
Which Wax Column is Best for You?
Wax-type fused silica GC columns have a highly polar polyethylene glycol stationary phase, which allows much better separation of polar compounds than can be achieved on nonpolar or low-polarity phases. Different wax columns are characterized by differences in temperature limits, inertness, and selectivity due to optimization of the stationary phase chemistry for specific types of analytes. These polar GC columns are commonly used for analyzing glycols, solvents, organic volatile impurities, FAMEs, fragrances, flavors, industrial chemicals, alcoholic beverages, cleaning products, and personal care products. Restek’s Stabilwax-DA and Stabilwax-DB columns are specifically designed for acidic and basic compounds, respectively. Use the table below to quickly and easily find the best Restek wax column for your applications.
Wax Column Characteristics and Recommended Applications
Choose the best wax column for your application quickly and easily based on the column characteristics and recommended uses in the table below. Click on the column name for product ordering information and chromatograms.
| Standard Phase | Standard Phase | Standard Phase | Application-Specific Phase | Specialty Phase | Specialty Phase | |
| Restek | Rtx-Wax | Stabilwax | Stabilwax-MS | FAMEWAX | Stabilwax-DA | Stabilwax-DB |
| Polarity | Polar | Polar | Polar | Polar | Polar | Polar |
| Min Temp. (°C) | 20 | 40 | 40 | 20 | 40 | 40 |
| Max Isothermal Temp. (°C)* | 240 | 250 | 250 | 240 | 230 | 210 |
| Max Programmable Temp. (°C)* | 250 | 260 | 260 | 250 | 260 | 220 |
| Integra-Guard Available? | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Best for | General purpose | General purpose | MS and trace analysis | Specific application | Acids | Bases |
| Typical Applications | Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), aldehydes, glycols, solvents | Alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, aromatics, solvents | Fragrance allergens, alcoholic beverages, flavor compounds, industrial chemicals, solvents | Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) | Free acids, alcoholic beverages | Alkylamines, diamines, nitrogen-containing heterocyclics |
| Other applications? Use Restek’s EZGC Chromatogram Modeler to find the best column for your analyte list. | ||||||
| *Max temperatures may vary with column dimensions, see product page for details. | ||||||
Structures of Wax Columns
| Column | Type | Structure |
| Rtx-Wax, Stabilwax, Stabilwax-MS |
Polyethylene glycol |  |
| FAMEWAX, Stabilwax-DA, Stabilwax-DB |
Polyethylene glycol | Proprietary structure/deactivation |
Using a non-Restek column? Find an equivalent phase fast with our column cross-reference!
Still have questions?
We’re here to help! Use Restek’s EZGC Chromatogram Modeler to find the best column for your specific analyte list or contact our Technical Service team for assistance.
