Classification of Centrifuge Tubes and the Function of Tube Caps

Release time:

2014-04-03

Overview:

Centrifuge tubes are categorized into plastic centrifuge tubes, glass centrifuge tubes, and steel centrifuge tubes. All plastic centrifuge tubes come with tube caps, which must be securely sealed to prevent leakage of liquids.

Classification of Centrifuge Tubes

1. Plastic centrifuge tubes
The advantages of plastic centrifuge tubes are that they are either transparent or translucent, have low rigidity, and can be easily opened using a puncture method to extract the gradient. Their disadvantages include being prone to deformation, having poor resistance to organic solvents, and having a short service life.
Plastic centrifuge tubes all come with tube caps. The primary function of these caps is to prevent sample leakage—this is especially important when handling radioactive or highly corrosive samples, as preventing leakage is crucial. Another key role of the tube cap is to minimize sample evaporation and provide support for the centrifuge tube, thereby preventing it from deforming. When selecting centrifuge tubes, be sure to check whether the tube caps are tightly sealed and can remain securely closed during experiments, ensuring that the tube remains leak-proof even when inverted.
As we all know, common materials used in plastic centrifuge tubes include polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), and polypropylene (PP). Among these, polypropylene (PP) tubes generally offer superior performance. Therefore, when selecting plastic centrifuge tubes, we should, whenever possible, opt for those made of polypropylene.

2. Glass centrifuge tubes
When using glass tubes, the centrifugal force should not be too high, and a rubber pad is required to prevent the tubes from breaking. Glass tubes are generally not recommended for use in high-speed centrifuges. If the cap of the centrifuge tube does not seal properly, the liquid cannot be filled to the brim—especially when using a swing-out rotor in a high-speed centrifuge—to avoid spillage and loss of balance. Spillage can contaminate the rotor and the centrifuge chamber, thereby disrupting the normal operation of the sensors. During ultracentrifugation, the liquid must be filled to the brim of the centrifuge tube, as ultracentrifugation involves creating a high vacuum; only by filling the tube completely can we prevent it from deforming.

3. Steel centrifuge tubes
Steel centrifuge tubes are highly durable, non-deformable, and resistant to heat, freezing, and chemical corrosion. They have a wide range of applications; however, when using them, it’s still important to avoid contact with strongly corrosive chemicals, such as strong acids and strong bases. Whenever possible, minimize exposure to the corrosive effects of these chemicals.

The function of centrifuge tube caps:

Plastic centrifuge tubes all come with tube caps, which must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage of the liquid.

1. When handling samples that are radioactive or highly corrosive, prevent sample leakage.

2. Prevent sample evaporation. 3. Support centrifuge tubes to prevent deformation of the tubes.

Development History of Domestic Imported Centrifuge Brand Manufacturers

Why do centrifuge tubes break during centrifugation?