Classification and Material Selection of Centrifuge Tubes

Centrifuge tubes, designed as cylindrical sample containers equipped with sealing caps or compression lids, are commonplace consumables in laboratory settings.

There are three primary categories based on size:
Large Centrifuge Tubes (500mL, 250mL)
Regular Centrifuge Tubes (50mL, 15mL)
Microcentrifuge Tubes (2mL, 1.5mL, 0.65mL, 0.2mL)

Centrifuge tubes can be categorized by the shape of their bottoms:
Conical Centrifuge Tubes (with conical bottoms, the most common type)
Flat-Bottom Centrifuge Tubes
Round-Bottom Centrifuge Tubes

Centrifuge tubes are divided into two types based on their lid closure mechanism:
Snap-Cap Centrifuge Tubes (sealed by pressing, commonly found in microcentrifuge tubes)
Screw-Cap Centrifuge Tubes (available as flat or plug lids)

Centrifuge tubes are available in various materials, each with distinct characteristics:
Steel Centrifuge Tubes: Possessing high strength, heat resistance, freeze resistance, and chemical corrosion resistance. However, they
should not come into contact with highly corrosive chemicals.
Glass Centrifuge Tubes: Suitable for applications not requiring extremely high centrifugal forces. It's important to consider their strength; they are generally not recommended for high-speed centrifuges.
Plastic Centrifuge Tubes: Transparent or semi-transparent, facilitating direct observation of sample conditions. Prone to deformation and less resistant to organic solvent corrosion, leading to a relatively shorter lifespan.

Distinctive Traits of Different Plastic Materials:
PP (Polypropylene): Semi-transparent, offering good chemical and temperature stability. Unsuitable for temperatures below 4°C.
PC (Polycarbonate): High transparency, robustness, suitable for high-temperature sterilization. However, they are not resistant to strong acids, alkalis, and certain organic solvents.
PE (Polyethylene): Opaque, exhibiting good stability and non-reactivity with certain chemicals. Vulnerable to softening under high temperatures.

Choosing the appropriate centrifuge tube material hinges on the specific requirements of your experiment, including centrifugal force, sample properties, and temperature conditions. During the selection process, it's essential to consider the characteristics and limitations of centrifuge tubes in conjunction with your experimental needs.
 

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