What are the materials of centrifuge tubes commonly used in laboratories

Centrifuge tube is a common experimental consumable in the laboratory, mainly used in conjunction with the centrifuge. That is, the test liquid is packed in it, and then placed in a centrifuge for centrifugation.

There are plastic and glass centrifuge tubes commonly used in laboratories. Generally, plastic ones are used more, because glass centrifuge tubes cannot be used in high-speed or ultra-speed centrifuges. Plastic centrifuge tubes are made of PP (polypropylene), PC (polycarbonate), PE (polyethylene) and other materials. The performance of PP pipe is relatively good. The plastic centrifuge tube is transparent or translucent, and you can visually see the centrifugation of the sample, but it is relatively easy to deform and has poor resistance to organic solvents, so it has a short service life.

The various materials are introduced separately below.
PP (polypropylene): translucent, with good chemical and temperature stability, but it will become brittle at low temperatures, so don't centrifuge it below 4°C.

PC (polycarbonate): good transparency, high hardness, high temperature sterilization, but not resistant to strong acids and alkalis and some organic solvents such as alcohol. Mainly used for ultra-high speed centrifugation above 50,000 rpm.

PE (polyethylene): opaque. It does not react with acetone, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc., is relatively stable, and tends to become soft at high temperatures.

PA (Polyamide): This material is a polymer made of PP and PE. It is translucent and has very stable chemical properties. It is not resistant to high temperatures.

PS (Polystyrene): Transparent, high hardness, stable to most aqueous solutions, but will be corroded by a variety of organic substances. It is mostly used for low-speed centrifugation and is generally for one-time use.

PF (polyfluoride): translucent, can be used at low temperature, if it is an experimental environment at -100℃-140℃, you can use centrifuge tubes of this material.

CAB (cellulose butyl acetate): transparent, can be used for the gradient determination of dilute acids, alkalis, salts, alcohol and sucrose.

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