Ultracentrifugation Catalog

www.centrifugebybeckman.com

Tubes and Bottles

A Quick-Reference Chart to Tube Materials and Their Properties

Property

Thinwall

Thickwall

Ultra-Clear Polycarbonate Polypropylene Polyethylene

Cellulose Propionate

PolypropylenePolypropylene

Optical

transparent

translucent

transparent

transparent

translucent

transparent/translucent transparent

Autoclaveable Puncturable

yes yes yes

yes

no

no no

yes

no

no no

no

yes yes

no no

yes

Sliceable Reusable

no* yes

no* yes

no

no*

no

no

yes

yes

no

Acids (dilute or weak) Acids (strong)

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

U

S

U

U

S

S

U

Alcohols (aliphatic) Aldehydes

2

U M S U U

S

U S U U U

U M U U U

S

S S S S U

U U U M

M

M

Bases Esters

S

S

M M

M

Hydrocarbons (aliphatic) Hydrocarbons ( aromatic and halogenated) Ketones Agents (strong) Salts Oxidizing

S

S

U

U

U

U

M

M

S

U U

M U

U U

U M

M M

M M

U M

S

S

M

M

S

S

S

S = satisfactory resistance M = marginal resistance

U = unsatisfactory resistance

Note: This information has been consolidated from a number of sources and is provided only as a guide to the selection of tube materials. Soak tests at 1 g (at 20°C) established the data for most of the materials; reactions may vary under the stress of centrifugation, or with extended contact or temperature variations. To prevent failure and loss of valuable sample, ALWAYS TEST SOLUTIONS UNDER OPERATING CONDITIONS BEFORE USE. * Polypropylene, polycarbonate, and cellulose propionate tubes with diameters of 5 to 13 mm may be sliced using the CentriTube Slicer (part number 347960) and appropriate adapter plate. Warning: Do not use flammable substances in or near an operating centrifuge.

General Filling and Sealing Requirements for Tubes and Bottles Tube or Bottle Swinging-Bucket Rotors

Fixed-Angle Rotors

Polypropylene

Thinwall tubes Thickwall tubes Quick-Seal tubes

Within 2 to 3 mm of top

Full with cap

At least 1/2 full

1/2 full to max. capless level or full with cap

Full and heat-sealed

Full and heat-sealed

Bottles

Min. to max. (see rotor manual) with screw-on cap or cap assembly

1/2 full to max. (see rotor manual) with screw-on cap assembly

Ultra-Clear

Open-top tubes Quick-Seal tubes

Within 2 to 3 mm of top

Full with cap

Not used

Full and heat-sealed

Polycarbonate

Thickwall tubes

At least 1/2 full At least 1/2 full

1/2 full capless level or full with cap or cap assembly

Bottles

Min. to max. (see rotor manual) with screw-on cap or cap assembly Any level with cap or cap assembly

Stainless Steel

Tubes

Any level

Polyethylene

Tubes

At least 1/2 full

1/2 to max. capless level or full with cap or cap assembly

Teflon

Tubes and bottles At least 1/2 full

1/2 full to max. capless level or full with cap

Radel

Container

At least 1/2 full

N/A

2-4

Beckman Coulter Ultracentrifuge