CR HiTemp

Extreme Temperature Stability up to 370–400 °C

Overview

CR HiTemp columns are Chrom Science & Technology’s answer to the most demanding high-temperature GC applications. These columns are built to withstand and perform at temperatures far beyond conventional GC columns, enabling analysis of compounds that were once considered too high-boiling or too thermally stable for capillary GC., CR HiTemp columns feature proprietary phase chemistries and a specially engineered fused silica column design that remains robust up to 370 °C, 380 °C, and even 400 °C in certain case】. This is achieved without switching to metal columns – instead, an advanced polyimide outer coating is used for high-heat enduranc】. CR HiTemp is positioned as an enabling technology range: it opens up new analytical possibilities (like analyzing heavy oils, long-chain waxes, polymer additives, etc.) with capillary GC, where previously analysts might have resorted to TGA or GC with metal columns. The tone is confident and technical, highlighting that Chrom Science & Technology’s innovation lets you “Turn up the heat” on your GC methods safely, combining scientific rigor (low bleed, stable performance at heat) with a persuasive promise (no need to compromise on what you can analyze – CR HiTemp can handle it).

Phase Chemistries (Complete List):

The CR HiTemp series includes high-temperature versions of popular stationary phases, each optimized for thermal stability:

CR HiTemp GC Columns – Phase Chemistry Comparison Table

Phase Name	Stationary Phase Description	Polarity	T_max (°C)	Key Applications
CR-1 HT	100% Methyl polysiloxane for high-temp (DB-1HT equivalent)	Non-polar	400	Boiling point separations of ultra-heavy hydrocarbons (C₈₀–C₁₀₀)
CR-5 HT	5% Phenyl, 95% Methyl polysiloxane high-temp variant	Low-polar	390–400	PAHs, petrochemical distillation cuts
CR-8 HT	8% Phenyl polysiloxane, enhanced thermal stability	Low-polar	400	Complex hydrocarbon mixtures, isomer separations
CR-35 HT	35% Phenyl, 65% Methyl polysiloxane for high-temp analysis	Mid-polar	370	Flame retardants, plasticizers, late-eluting pesticides
CR-17 HT	50% Phenyl, 50% Methyl polysiloxane for polar high-boilers	Mid-polar	370	GC×GC 2nd dimension, polar high-boiling analytes
CR-65 HT	Specialized ~65% phenyl phase, high-polarity at high temp	Mid–high polar	360	Sterols, diols, GC×GC orthogonal applications
CR-SE54 HT	5% Phenyl, 1% Vinyl phase (SE-54) high-temp variant	Low-polar	360	Legacy method matching (e.g. herbicides, PCBs)
CR-1701 HT	14% Cyanopropylphenyl, 86% Methyl polysiloxane for high-temp use	Medium polar	320	Residual solvent analysis in API and polymer matrices
CR-Wax HT	Polyethylene glycol, crosslinked & stabilized for elevated temperature	Polar	300	High MW alcohols, FAMEs (C26:0, C30:0), volatile polar compounds

CR-1 HT – 100% methyl polysiloxane, formulated for ultra-high temperature This non-polar phase is analogous to DB-1HT, and can go up to 400 °C maximu】. It’s ideal for boiling point separation of very heavy compounds (alkanes up to C_100 and beyond). Despite the extreme temp capacity, it maintains low bleed (using an arylene backbone polymer for stability, likely) and inertness.

CR-5 HT – 5% phenyl, 95% methyl polysiloxane for high temp. Also capable of around 390–400 °C max. Provides a touch of aromatic selectivity even for high boilers. Useful for heavy aromatics analysis in petrochemicals (like separating PAHs up to coronene or asphaltene fractions).
CR-8 HT – 8% phenyl polysiloxane (slightly higher phenyl content than CR-5). Also rated to 400 °C. A specialized phase providing unique selectivity – effectively non-polar but with minor polarity to affect separation of certain high MW isomers. Good for complex high-boiling hydrocarbon mixtures where a purely non-polar phase might not distinguish all components.
CR-35 HT – 35% phenyl, 65% methyl high-temp phase. T_max ~370 °】. This mid-polar phase extended for high temp is great for heavy pesticides, phthalate plasticizers, or other semi-polar high-boilers that need the extra phenyl content for resolution. For example, some late-eluting chlorinated pesticides (technical chlordane components, etc.) or flame retardants can be resolved here at ~350 °C where a normal column would max out.
CR-17 HT – 50% phenyl, 50% methyl high-temp phase. T_max ~370 °】. A relatively polar phase to have such high temp stability. It is useful as a confirmation or second-dimension column in GC×GC for complex high-boiling sample】 – e.g., using CR-17 HT in a 2D GC run allows one to separate polar heavy compounds after the primary non-polar column. It’s also utilized for specialty analyses like high-temperature simulated distillation where a polar column might separate certain fractions by polarity differences at high temp.
CR-65 HT – A specialized high-temp phase (the name implies ~65% phenyl or a similar polar content) with T_max around 360 °C. This could correspond to a unique stationary phase offering even higher polarity for high temp use. Potentially used for GC×GC as a high-polar second dimension in high-temp 2D GC configuration】, or for confirming identity of heavy polar compounds (e.g., sterols or diols in high boiling matrices) at elevated temperatures.
CR-SE54 HT – A high-temp variant of the 5% phenyl, 1% vinyl phase (SE-54) with stability ~360 °C. This offers similar separations to CR-5 HT but with slightly different selectivity (the vinyl substitution can tweak polarity). It gives analysts options to match legacy methods that used SE-54 columns, but now with extended temperature range (e.g., some older methods for PCB or herbicide analysis might have used SE-54 – CR-SE54 HT allows those methods to run hotter if needed to elute late peaks).
CR-1701 HT – 14% cyanopropylphenyl, 86% methyl high-temp phase. Surprisingly, this mid-polar phase is formulated to reach ~320 °】, whereas standard cyanopropyl columns top out around 280 °C. This is ideal for residual solvents or volatiles analysis in high-boiling matrices (like residual solvent in polymers or active pharmaceutical ingredients) – one can run headspace or direct injections and ramp higher to bake out impurities without damaging the column. It’s also useful in 2D GC as a mid-polar column that can survive a hotter primary oven (in heart-cut or 2D).
CR-Wax HT – Polyethylene glycol phase optimized for high temp, with T_max ~300 °. Standard wax columns typically max at ~250 °C and bleed badly above that; CR-Wax HT pushes that limit significantly. It uses a specially stabilized PEG (possibly a crosslinked PEG or a PEG with a stabilizing coating】. This allows polar compounds, such as long-chain fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) or polyols, to be analyzed at higher temperatures for faster elution or to elute higher homologues. For instance, extended FAME analysis up to C26:0 or C30:0 methyl esters can be done at ~280 °C on CR-Wax HT without the severe bleed that a normal wax would produce. It’s a unique offering for polar high-temperature needs.

All CR HiTemp columns are fully bonded and crosslinked for stability; they differ from regular columns by using high-temperature polysiloxane backbones (often with phenylene groups or other stabilizing structures) and by having a specially formulated polyimide coating that does not deform or crack at high oven temperature】. This coating also maintains flexibility and a good bend radius even after heating (important for installation and storage】.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Specification & Notes
Column Type	Fused silica capillary with high-temp polyimide outer coating
Film Thickness Range	0.10 µm to 0.25 µm
Inner Diameter (ID)	0.25 mm, 0.32 mm (rarely 0.10–0.18 mm for select methods)
Length Options	5 m, 10 m, 15 m, 30 m (common: 10–15 m for heavy compound analysis)
Deactivation	Ultra-inert surface, tested with high-temp probes for minimal activity
Crosslinking	Fully bonded stationary phase for thermal and solvent resistance
Max Temperature Rating	Up to 400 °C (phase dependent, e.g., CR-1 HT at 400 °C)
Coil Diameter Options	5-inch or 7-inch cages available
Compatibility	FID, MS, TCD – designed for minimal bleed in all detectors
Stability & Lifetime	Maintains flexibility and performance across repeated heat cycles
Conditioning	Direct ramp to 400 °C allowed; stable under rapid temp programs

The hallmark of CR HiTemp columns is their temperature range. Each column’s upper temperature limit is explicitly stated (typically 370 °C or 400 °C depending on phase) and these limits are validated under both isothermal and programmed conditions. Even at such extremes, CR HiTemp columns exhibit remarkably low bleed due to the stabilized stationary phases. For example, a CR-5 HT column at 380 °C has bleed comparable to a standard 5% phenyl column at 330 °C – a testament to the phase robustness.

The polyimide outer coating is a high-temperature formula (sometimes referred to as “HT polyimide”) that does not become brittle at high heat. This means the column can be cooled and reheated repeatedly without cracking – ensuring normal column lifetimes despite the harsh conditions. (Some competitor high-temp columns without this coating might suffer mechanical failure after few cycles; CR HiTemp avoids that.)

CR HiTemp columns are typically available in shorter lengths than standard because high-temp applications often prefer shorter columns (e.g., 5–15 m) to focus on eluting very heavy compounds before they thermally degrade. However, Chrom Science & Technology offers them in a range of lengths (up to 30 m) and diameters (commonly 0.25 mm or 0.32 mm ID for heavy sample loading; smaller IDs are less common because heavy compounds need capacity and larger bore for better flow at high temp). Film thickness tends to be thin (0.1–0.25 µm) to facilitate the elution of high boiling analytes (thicker films could retain heavy compounds too strongly at even high temp).

One special technical aspect: CR HiTemp columns often use 5-inch diameter coils (instead of standard 7-inch) because smaller coil diameter can fit in some GC ovens more comfortably when the column is shorter; also, smaller coils can handle expansion at high temp differently. Chrom Science & Technology typically supplies them with appropriate cage sizes or asks users to specify if they need a certain diameter, and likely similar for HT.

In terms of inertness, CR HiTemp columns, despite the extreme conditions, maintain high inertness and minimal activity. They are tested with probe analytes at high temperatures to ensure active surfaces do not catalyze breakdown of analytes – a common concern because at >350 °C some compounds might otherwise decompose on active sites. The deactivation process for CR HiTemp is thus very stringent.

Finally, the mechanical stability is noteworthy: these columns can handle rapid temperature ramps (they can be taken from ambient to 400 °C at maximum GC oven ramp rates safely), which is useful when you want to bake out quickly or end a high-temp run swiftly to shorten cycle time.

Typical & Advanced Applications

CR HiTemp columns unlock analyses in several fields:

Simulated Distillation (SimDist) of Crude Oils and Heavy Fuels

SimDist methods (like ASTM D2887 for medium range, and D6352 or D7169 for extended range) require columns that can elute hydrocarbons up to C_100+ (boiling points ~ 600 °C equivalent).
CR-1 HT or CR-5 HT columns are tailor-made for this. They can be used for extended SimDist to C_90 or C_100 without the column burning out.
Laboratories can perform high-temp SimDist in a standard GC oven (with these columns up to ~400 °C) as an alternative to needing specialized equipment or shorter-life metal columns.

Heavy Hydrocarbon Analysis & Petrochemical

Beyond simulated distillation, any analysis of heavy petrochemical streams benefits. For instance, asphaltene or residue analysis – CR HiTemp allows GC characterization of the heavy end of crude oil.
Lubricating oils and wax content can be analyzed by GC to some extent using CR HiTemp columns, identifying hydrocarbon distribution in lube base stocks or wax additives (polywax standards up to C_100 are often used to calibrate such runs, and CR HiTemp columns specifically note suitability for “poly-waxes).
Also, biomass pyrolysis oils (which contain very heavy components) can be separated more fully, giving insight into compounds present up to very high molecular weights.

Environmental & Food (High-Boiling Pollutants/Residues)

Certain persistent organic pollutants and additives have very high boiling points.
For example, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE flame retardants) or some pesticides like mirex, chlordane, etc., elute at high oven temps. A CR-5 HT or CR-35 HT column allows these to be analyzed by GC-ECD or GC-MS without leaving ghost peaks or requiring two runs (some labs cut the run when heavy analytes don’t elute; with CR HiTemp you can actually elute them for quantification).
In the food industry, mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH/MOAH) include high molecular weight fractions – high-temperature GC can profile these up to C_50 or more, useful in food packaging contamination analysis. CR HiTemp columns provide the needed range for such methods.

High-Temp GC×GC (Comprehensive GC)

In GC×GC, especially for petrochemical or complex matrices, often the primary column must handle a broad boiling range. CR HiTemp columns (like CR-1 HT or CR-5 HT as 1D, and perhaps CR-17 HT as 2D) are an excellent combination for GC×GC of heavy petroleum or oil spill analysis.
The first dimension can run up to 370–400 °C to separate heavy components by boiling point, while the second dimension (with a shorter HT polar column) quickly separates by polarity at a slightly lower temp. This configuration has been noted as ideal in literature.
Without high-temp columns in both dimensions, GC×GC might not capture the full scope of heavy ends.

Polymer & Additive Analysis

Some polymers (or their additives/plasticizers) are amenable to GC if the column can go hot enough. For instance, phthalate plasticizers (like diisononyl phthalate, boiling ~ 380 °C) can be analyzed directly by GC-FID using a CR-35 HT column – no need for LC methods – which is useful for regulatory testing of plastics.
Additionally, there is a technique called GC polymer thermal desorption where small fragments of polymers (oligomers) are analyzed by GC; a high-temp column can separate oligomers (e.g., cyclic siloxanes from silicone polymer breakdown, or oligomers from polyolefins) which would not elute on normal columns.
CR HiTemp extends GC into what was previously “no-man’s land” for volatility.

Others

Any scenario where analysts currently see a “final hump” in their chromatogram or unresolved high-boiling tail can potentially be improved with CR HiTemp.
Whether it’s checking for high-boiling impurities in chemical products, determining oil content in shale samples, or analyzing specialized high molecular weight compounds (like steranes or terpanes in geochemical analysis), a CR HiTemp column offers the durability and range needed.

Performance Benefits

Benefit	Detail
Thermal Endurance	Reliable performance up to 400 °C with low bleed and no polymer collapse
Ultra-Low Bleed	High-temperature polysiloxanes minimize baseline noise even near max temp
Extended Compound Coverage	Enables detection of very high boiling analytes that standard columns can't elute cleanly
Stable Polyimide Coating	HT polyimide prevents cracking or delamination under thermal cycling
Analytical Expansion	Opens new analytical capabilities such as extended SimDis, heavier impurity profiling, GC×GC
MS-Ready Baselines	Minimal source contamination in MS due to low-bleed stationary phases
Cost Efficiency	Long column life reduces frequency of replacements, lowering overall operating cost
Time Savings	High oven ramp rates reduce run times even for high boilers – faster analysis cycles
GC Compatibility	Compatible with standard GC ovens and hardware – no need for special instrumentation
Industrial Applications	Ideal for petrochemical, polymer, API, lubricant, and environmental sample matrices

CR HiTemp columns deliver extreme performance where others fail. The clearest benefit is that they do not break down or bleed excessively at high temperature, meaning you can trust them for sustained operation at 370+ °C. This yields practical advantages: more complete chromatograms (no unresolved late peaks), quantifiable results for high-boilers, and fewer instrument issues (excessive bleed can dirty detectors like MS source or FID jet – CR HiTemp avoids that, preserving system integrity). A hybrid tone statement might be: “Engineered for endurance, CR HiTemp’s special polyimide coating ensures the column stays intact and inert even at 400 °C, delivering a stable baseline where ordinary columns would succum】. The result is clear data on compounds you’ve never seen by GC before.”

For laboratories, this means expanded capabilities – they can offer new analyses (e.g., extended SimDis, high-range impurity profiling) without investing in entirely new systems. It’s a compelling ROI: one CR HiTemp column might replace the need for a separate high-temp GC or GCxGC setup. Additionally, these columns often end up being cost-efficient. While they might be slightly more expensive than standard columns due to specialized materials, they prevent having to frequently replace columns that get damaged at high temp, and reduce downtime. Users have reported that high-temp columns like these maintain performance across many cycles of heating, meaning the lifetime is excellent even under punishing conditions.

Another persuasive benefit is data quality and confidence. When you are analyzing e.g. a lubricant for decomposition products, seeing a flat baseline to 50 minutes and then a sudden rise is disconcerting; with CR HiTemp you’ll see actual peaks all along if compounds are present. It transforms that uncertainty into actionable information.

From a marketing angle, CR HiTemp empowers innovation: “Now you can push your GC to do more – go hotter, see more – with Chrom Science & Technology’s HiTemp columns.” It appeals to the analytical chemist’s desire to overcome limitations and to the lab manager’s desire to maximize instrument utilization. The combination of bragging rights (400 °C in a fused silica capillary!) and utility (because heavy ends often matter, like in crude oil valuations or product quality) makes this range exciting. Chrom Science & Technology’s hybrid voice can celebrate the technical feat and invite users to take advantage of it.

Industry Compliance & Standards

CR HiTemp columns are aligned with industry methods that necessitate high temperature operation. For example:

ASTM Methods: ASTM D6352 and D7169 for extended Simulated Distillation (up to C_100) recommend using high-temp columns (often metal), but CR HiTemp fused silica columns can meet the requirements of these methods up to their specified temperature range (approx 430 °C for D7169 – CR HiTemp goes to 400 °C, which covers most of that range; slight method adjustments or using shorter columns can make it compliant). ASTM D2887 (SimDist up to C_40) is easily handled by CR HiTemp columns as well (even standard columns suffice for D2887, but CR HiTemp adds robustness).
ISO/EN Petrochemical Standards: Similar simulated distillation and high-boiling GC methods in ISO or EN (like EN 15199 for high-boiling SimDist) can utilize CR HiTemp columns. Also, methods for oil in water or oil identification that involve high boiling components can reference these columns.
EPA & Environmental: While US EPA methods for semivolatiles (like 8270) don’t explicitly require high-temp columns, labs using CR HiTemp for such methods can show better recovery of late-eluting analytes (like benzo(ghi)perylene or pesticides), which helps in meeting method criteria (like spectral library match or calibration for those analytes). If a method demands that a certain heavy analyte be reported, using a CR HiTemp ensures it actually elutes and can be quantitated, thus indirectly aiding method compliance. Some European methods for mineral oil in foods (e.g., MOSH/MOAH by GC-FID) specify columns that go to 370 °C – CR HiTemp meets those specs.
Pharmacopeia/USP: There are not many USP methods requiring such high temperatures, but occasionally analysis of high-boiling residuals or long-chain impurities by GC might be specified. CR HiTemp could be used in validated methods if needed. Also, in ASTM or EN methods for phthalates (which are semi-volatile but heavy), a high-temp column ensures all phthalates of interest (including very high molecular weight ones like diisodecyl phthalate) are analyzed properly.
Durability Standards: Internally, Chrom Science & Technology likely adheres to standards for column bleed at high temperature. The CR HiTemp columns are probably tested to ensure bleed at max temperature is below a threshold (as per say Agilent’s “Ultra Inert” spec or similar internal spec). This ensures if a lab writes a SOP stating “column bleed must not exceed X at Y°C” (common in QA), CR HiTemp will pass.

In summary, CR HiTemp columns either directly satisfy method requirements for high-temperature operation or empower laboratories to extend existing methods to cover heavier analytes while staying within calibration and QA boundaries. They combine with standard methods as enhancements – offering compliance where previously analysts might have had to report “NR – not recovered” for heavy endpoints.