The benefits of proper centrifuge maintenance are truly significant.

　　On Centrifuge The importance of maintenance lies not only in increasing the utilization rate and extending the service life of instruments, but also in ensuring their safe operation and preventing accidents.

　　Centrifuges are indispensable and essential equipment in today’s research centers for life and chemical sciences. Ensuring the safe operation of these instruments and maximizing their full performance is a key concern for laboratory technicians. Over the past decade or so, China has imported numerous high-speed and ultrahigh-speed centrifuges of various models from abroad. At the same time, China has also begun producing many different models of laboratory centrifuges, which have greatly advanced life science research in our country. However, due to inadequate technical training, improper instrument use, failure to perform regular maintenance, and other factors, centrifuge accidents still occur from time to time.

　　According to conventional theory, centrifuge failures are caused by excessive rotor imbalance. The main factors contributing to rotor imbalance include weighing errors in sample preparation, spillage of centrifuged sample liquids during the centrifugation process, and rotor corrosion. Analyzing accidents that have occurred domestically, the primary causes are as follows:

　　1. During centrifuge tube balancing, due to prolonged use of the balance without calibration, the symmetrically placed centrifuge tubes became unbalanced by more than 0.1 to 1 gram.

　　2. During sample loading into centrifuge tubes, if the tubes are overfilled with sample liquid or the tube caps are not tightly screwed shut, the high-vacuum environment within the centrifuge chamber during centrifugation can cause the tubes to flatten, rupture, and leak sample liquid. This imbalance can lead to rotor misalignment, shaft bending, or even shaft breakage.

　　3. An accident occurred because the specific gravity of the original sample was not equal to that of the balancing liquid, causing rotor dynamic imbalance.

　　4. When using a horizontal rotor, failing to carefully match the serial number of the bucket with the serial number on the rotor body can affect the rotor's dynamic balance.

　　5. Accidents occur when aluminum alloy centrifuge tube caps and stainless steel centrifuge tube caps are used interchangeably (due to their different specific gravities).

　　6. Improper use and inadequate sterilization of the rubber sealing rings inside the centrifuge tube caps and the rotor cover—such as prolonged use leading to internal fractures, or exposure to high-temperature sterilization (e.g., baking in a drying oven)—can cause these rings to age, crack, and lose their sealing effectiveness. As a result, samples may spill out during high-speed operation, causing the rotor to run in an unbalanced condition.

　　7. For centrifuge tubes made of various materials, failure to thoroughly understand the manufacturer’s specified usage limits and disinfection methods before use led to the improper handling of these tubes with chemical solvents and inappropriate disinfectants, resulting in swelling and rupture of the tubes during operation and subsequent accidents.

　　8. Due to carelessness during work, the rotor cover was not tightened properly or the rotor cover was mistakenly swapped with the rotor shaft, resulting in mismatched screw threads. When the machine was started and operated, the rotor cover flew off, causing a severe shaft breakage accident.

　　9. Aging of centrifuge tubes or using centrifuge tubes designed for high-speed centrifuges in ultracentrifuges can cause the tubes to rupture during operation, leading to sample liquid leakage, imbalance, and shaft bending.

　　10. Due to improper management of service life and various forms of corrosion, the rotor exploded during operation.

　　11. Due to various reasons, the fasteners of the drive system or other systems were not removed during installation, and the instrument was forcibly put into trial operation, resulting in shaft breakage and rotor explosion accidents.

　　12. Internal defects in materials such as the drive shaft and rotor, as well as inspection and quality issues during manufacturing, are also major causes of instrument accidents.

　　After each use, be sure to open the centrifuge lid to allow heat or moisture to evaporate naturally. If you’ve previously used low-temperature centrifugation and ice may have formed, wait until the ice has melted completely, then promptly wipe the interior clean with a dry cotton gauze. Only close the lid once there’s no visible moisture left. If the centrifuge rotor is replaceable, remove it immediately after each use, clean it thoroughly with a clean, dry medical gauze, and place it upside down. Never use sharp objects to scrape or clean the rotor. Aluminum rotors in particular should be cleaned frequently. Additionally, the centrifuge itself requires regular maintenance and inspection. When the operator leaves, be sure to disconnect the power supply. First-time users should consult with those who have prior experience or refer primarily to the instruction manual—never operate the centrifuge blindly.

　　Nowadays, many centrifuges are equipped with user-friendly control systems that offer features such as rotor identification, safety lock functions, fault-alert indicators, and customizable acceleration and deceleration curves. The main component of a centrifuge is the motor, which can be either brushed or brushless. The former has largely been phased out, and most modern centrifuges now use brushless motors; some even come with built-in braking mechanisms. In terms of refrigeration, there are also differences among centrifuges—today, environmentally friendly technologies naturally favor fluorine-free cooling systems. Beyond that, noise levels should also be taken into account; it’s best to choose a centrifuge that operates quietly, as this helps maintain a comfortable experimental environment. When it comes to accessories, caution is key. Some experiments require specialized centrifuge tubes—for instance, when handling toxic samples or samples needing ultra-high-speed centrifugation—such tubes must be used with appropriate tube sleeves to ensure greater safety.