Labware
6 articles
Autoclave Cleaning Manual for Borosilicate Glass Type I Vials
1. Inspection Before cleaning the vials, visually inspect them for any visible dirt, debris, or stains. Remove any visible contaminants from the vials by wiping them gently with a clean, lint-free cloth. 2. Preparation Place the vials in a clean, designated basket or tray for autoclaving. Do not overload the basket or tray, as this can affect the efficiency of the cleaning process. Ensure that the vials are properly spaced and arranged to allow for adequate steam circulation. 3. Cleaning Solution Prepare the cleaning solution according to the manufacturer's instructions. It is recommended to use a mild detergent solution, such as a non-ionic or enzymatic cleaner, for cleaning the vials. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals that may scratch or damage the glass. 4. Autoclave Cycle Select the appropriate autoclave cycle for the vials, based on the material and the level of contamination. The standard gravity cycle for borosilicate glass Type I vials is a temperature of 121°C and a pressure of 15psi for a duration of 15-20 minutes. However, refer to the manufacturer's instructions or consult with a knowledgeable expert for specific cycle recommendations. 5. Loading the Autoclave Load the basket or tray of vials into the autoclave, following the manufacturer's instructions for loading and securing the load. Ensure that the door is securely closed and locked before starting the autoclave cycle. 6. Post-Autoclave After the cycle is complete, carefully remove the basket or tray of vials from the autoclave. Allow the vials to cool down to room temperature before handling them. Inspect the vials again for any visible dirt or debris and repeat the cleaning process if necessary. 7. Storage Once the vials are cleaned and sterilised, store them in a designated area that is clean, dry, and free from any sources of contamination. Ensure that the vials are properly labelled and organised for easy identification.
Glassware Joint Sizing Guide
Glassware aparatus for the laboratroy requires various joints to be made between pieces of glassware. These temporary joints need to be leak-proof and at times create a closed pressurised system. The joints can be sealed and held together using grease, sleeves and clamps/clips. There is a sytem of joint sizing that uses a two-number code (e.g., 24/40) where the first number is the widest outer diameter (OD) in mm, and the second is the nominal joint length in mm; sizes vary by region (US ASTM vs. European ISO), but the taper (usually 1:10) is standard, meaning the diameter decreases consistently along the length, allowing some interchangeability, but exact diameter and length must match for a perfect fit, with common sizes like 14/20 (US) and 24/29 (ISO). 'A' and 'B' length tapered joints refer to the dimensions of standard ground glass joints where 'A' is the nominal OD and 'B' is the length of the ground section (e.g., 10/18 means A=10mm, B=18mm). A vs. B Length: A-Length (Standard/Shorter): Often shorter, like 19/22 or 24/40, offering a shallower connection. B-Length (Longer): Longer versions for the same diameter, such as 19/26 or 19/38, providing a deeper, more secure connection. Examples: 19/22 (A-length): 19mm wide at the top, 22mm long. 19/26 (B-length): 19mm wide at the top, 26mm long, making it a longer version of the 19mm joint. 24/40 (A-length): A common, longer standard, 24mm wide, 40mm long. In essence, if you need a longer ground joint for a specific diameter, you'd look for the 'B' length (like 19/26) instead of the shorter 'A' length (like 19/22). Here is a useful video to explain further about joint sizing and also creating leak-proof joins in your laboratory glassware. ProSciTech's collection of glassware joint fittings and adapters
Gloves Chemical Resistance Table
This Chemical Resistance Chart is intended to provide general information about the reactions of different glove materials to the chemicals listed. This information is based upon published research data. Gloves have not been individually tested against these chemicals. Variances in glove thickness, chemical concentration, temperature and length of exposure to chemicals will affect the performance. This information should be used for reference purpose only. User must proceed with caution when handling these chemicals. ✅ Excellent ! Good with some minor effect ⚠ Fair with moderate effect ❌ Not recommended severe effect - Not tested Chemical Natural Rubber Nitrile Polychloroprene Polyvinyl chloride Polyurethane Acetaldehyde 50% ! ❌ ⚠ ! ❌ Acetamide ! ❌ ⚠ ❌ - Acetate solvent ! ⚠ ❌ ❌ - Acetic acid, glacial ! ⚠ ❌ ❌ ❌ Acetic acid 30% ! ! ✅ ✅ ❌ Acetic anhydride I ! ⚠ ! ❌ ❌ Acetone ⚠ ❌ ⚠ ❌ - Acetyl chloride ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ - Acetylene ! ✅ ! ✅ ⚠ Acrylonitrile ❌ ❌ ⚠ - - Adipic acid ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Aluminium acetate ✅ ! ! - - Aluminium chloride ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Aluminium fluoride ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Aluminium hydroxide ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Aluminium nitrate ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Aluminium potassium sulphate ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Aluminium sulphate ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ Amine ! ❌ ! ❌ - Ammonia anhydrous ❌ ! ! ✅ ❌ Ammonia gas (cold) ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Ammonia gas (hot) ❌ ❌ ! - - Ammonia nitrate - ⚠ ⚠ ! - Ammonium bifluoride - ✅ ✅ ✅ - Ammonium carbonate ✅ ❌ ✅ ✅ - Ammonium caseinate - - ✅ - - Ammonium chloride ✅ ! ✅ ✅ ❌ Ammonium hydroxide ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅ - Ammonium nitrate ⚠ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Ammonium nitrite ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Ammonium oxalate - - ✅ ✅ - Ammonium persulphate ✅ ❌ ✅ ✅ - Ammonium phosphate ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Ammonium sulphate ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Ammonium thiosulphate - ✅ ✅ - - Amyl acetate ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ ❌ Amyl alcohol ! ! ! ✅ - Amyl chloride ❌ ! ❌ ❌ - Aniline ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ ❌ Aniline hydrochloride ! ! ❌ - - Animal fats ❌ ✅ ! - - Aqua regia (80%HCI, 20%HNO3) ❌ ❌ ⚠ ⚠ - Antimony trichloride - - - ✅ - Aroclor 1248 ❌ ⚠ ❌ - - Aromatic hydrocarbons ❌ ⚠ ❌ ❌ - Arsenic acid ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Arsenic trichloride ❌ ✅ ✅ - - Asphalt ❌ ! ⚠ ! ❌ Barium carbonate - ✅ - ✅ - Barium chloride ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Barium cyanide ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Barium hydroxide ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Barium nitrate - ✅ ✅ ✅ - Barium sulphate ✅ ✅ ✅ ! - Barium sulphide ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Beer ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ Benzaldehyde ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ Benzene ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ ! Benzol ❌ ❌ ! - ❌ Benzyl alcohol ❌ ❌ ! ❌ - Benzyl benzoate ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Benzyl chloride ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Benzoic acid ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ - Bleach ❌ ! ! ✅ - Boric acid ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Brine ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Bromine-anhydrous ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ ❌ Bromine trifluoride ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Bromotoluene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Bunker oil ❌ ✅ ❌ - - Butadiene ❌ ❌ ! ⚠ - Butane ❌ ✅ ✅ ⚠ ✅ Butter ❌ ✅ ! - - Butylene ❌ ! ⚠ ⚠ - Butyl acetate ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ Butyl alcohol ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Butyl amine ❌ ⚠ ❌ - - Butyl benzoate ⚠ ❌ ❌ - - Butyl cellosolve ❌ ⚠ ⚠ - - Butyl stearate ❌ ! ❌ - - Butyric acid - ❌ ❌ ! - Calcium acetate ✅ ! ! - - Calcium bisulphate - - ✅ ✅ ✅ Calcium bisulphide - ✅ ✅ ✅ - Calcium bisulphite ❌ ❌ ✅ ! - Calcium carbonate ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Calcium chlorate - ⚠ - ✅ - Calcium chloride ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Calcium hydroxide ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Calcium hypochlorite ❌ ⚠ ⚠ ! ❌ Calcium nitrate ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Calcium sulphate - ✅ ⚠ ✅ - Calcium sulphide ! ✅ ✅ - - Calgon - ✅ ✅ - - Cane juice ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Carbitol ! ! ! - - Carbolic acid (phenol) ❌ ❌ ⚠ ⚠ - Carbon bisulphide ❌ ⚠ ❌ ❌ - Carbon dioxide ! ✅ ! ✅ ⚠ Carbon disulphide ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ Carbon momoxide ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Carbon tetrachloride ❌ ⚠ ❌ ! ❌ Carbonic acid ✅ ! ✅ ✅ - Castor oil ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Cellosolve ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Cellosolve acetate ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Chloric acid - - - ✅ - Chlorine (dry) ❌ ❌ ⚠ ✅ - Chlorine (wet) ❌ ❌ ⚠ ✅ - Chlorine dioxide ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Chloroacetone ❌ ❌ ⚠ - - Chloroacetic acid ❌ ❌ ❌ ! ❌ Chlorobenzene ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ Chlorobutadiene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Chloroform ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ Chlorosulphonic acid ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ ❌ Chlorotoluene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Chocolate syrup ❌ ✅ ✅ - - Chromic acid 5% ! ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌ Chromic acid 10% ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌ Chromic acid 30% ❌ ❌ ❌ ! ❌ Chromic acid 50% ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ ❌ Cinnamon oil - - ⚠ - - Citric acid ✅ ✅ ✅ ! ❌ Citric oils - ✅ ❌ - - Clove oil - ✅ ⚠ - - Cobalt ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Coconut oil ❌ ✅ ! - - Cod liver oil ❌ ✅ ! ✅ - Coffee ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Coke oven gas ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Copper acetate ✅ ! ! - - Copper chloride ✅ ✅ ! ✅ - Copper cyanide ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Copper fluoroborate - ! ✅ ✅ - Copper nitrate - ✅ ✅ ! - Copper sulphate ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Corn oil ❌ ✅ ⚠ ! - Cottonseed oil ❌ ✅ ! ✅ ✅ Cresote (coal tar) ❌ ✅ ! - ❌ Cresol ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ - Cresylic acid ❌ ❌ ⚠ ⚠ - Cumene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Cyanic acid - ⚠ ⚠ - - Cyclohexane ❌ ✅ ⚠ ❌ ✅ Cyclohexanol ❌ ⚠ ✅ - - Cyclohexanone ❌ ❌ ❌ - - P-cymene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Decalin ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Denatured alcohol ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Detergent solution non-hydrocarbon ! ✅ ! ✅ - Diacetone ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Diacetone alcohol ❌ ❌ ! ! - Dibenzyl ether ❌ ❌ ⚠ - - Dibutyl amine ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Dibutyl ether ❌ ❌ ⚠ - - Dibutyl phthalate ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Dibutyl sebecate ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Dichlorobenzene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Dichloroethane ❌ - ❌ ❌ - Dichloro-isopropyl ether ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Diesel oil ❌ ✅ ⚠ ✅ - Diethylamine ! ⚠ ⚠ ❌ - Diethylamine benzene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Diethyl either ❌ ❌ ⚠ - - Diethylene glycol ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Diethyl sebecate ❌ ! ❌ - ❌ Dihydrogen monoxide ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Diisobutylene ❌ ! ❌ - - Diisopropyl benzene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Diisopropyl ketone ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Dimethyl formamide ❌ ! ⚠ - - Dimethyl phthalate ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Dinitrotoluene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Dioctyl phthalate ❌ ⚠ ❌ - - Dioctyl sebecate ❌ ❌ ❌ - ❌ Dipentene ❌ ! ❌ - - Diphenyl (phenylbenzene) ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Diphenyl oxide ❌ ✅ ❌ ❌ - Dowtherm oil ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Dry cleaning fluids ❌ ⚠ ❌ - - Ethane ❌ ✅ ! ❌ - Ethanolamine ! ! ! ❌ - Ether ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ Ethyl acetate ⚠ ❌ ❌ ⚠ ❌ Ethyl acetoacetate ⚠ ❌ ⚠ - - Ethyl alcohol ✅ ⚠ ✅ ⚠ ⚠ Ethyl benzene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Ethyl benzoate ✅ ❌ ❌ - - Ethyl cellulose ! ! ! - - Ethyl chloride ⚠ ✅ ⚠ ❌ ⚠ Ethyl ether ❌ ⚠ ⚠ - - Ethyl formate ❌ ❌ ! - - Ethyl pentochlorobenzene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Ethyl silicate ! ✅ ✅ - - Ethylene ⚠ ✅ ⚠ - - Ethylene chloride ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ - Ethylene chlorohydrin ! ❌ ! - - Ethylene diamine ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Ethylene dichloride ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ - Ethylene glycol ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Ethylene oxide ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ - Ethylene trichloride ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Fatty acids ❌ ! ! ! - Ferric chloride ✅ ✅ ! ✅ - Ferric nitrate ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Ferric sulphate ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Ferrous chloride ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Ferrous sulphate - ✅ - ✅ - Fish oil ❌ ✅ ❌ - - Fluoroboric acid ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Fluorobenzene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Fluorine - - - ❌ - Fluorolube ! ✅ ! - - Fluorosilic acid ! ✅ ! ✅ ❌ Formaldehyde 40% - ! ! ✅ ❌ Formaldehyde 100% ! ⚠ ⚠ ✅ ❌ Formic acid ! ! ✅ ✅ ❌ Freon 11 ❌ ! ❌ ✅ - Freon 12 ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Freon 13 ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Freon 21 ❌ ✅ ❌ - - Freon 22 ! ❌ ✅ ! - Freon 113 ❌ ✅ ⚠ ! - Freon 114 ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Freon TF ❌ ✅ ✅ ! - Fuel oil ❌ ! ⚠ ✅ - Furan resin ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅ - Furfural ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ Gallic acid ✅ ! ! ✅ - Gasoline ❌ ✅ ⚠ ⚠ - Gelatin ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Ginger oil - ✅ ✅ - - Glucose ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Glue PVA ! ✅ ✅ ⚠ ✅ Glycerin ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Glycols ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Gold monocyanide - ✅ ✅ ✅ - Green sulphate liquor ! ! ! - - Grease - ❌ ❌ ✅ - Heptane ❌ ✅ ✅ ⚠ - Hexane ❌ ✅ ! ! ✅ Helix alcohol ! ! ✅ - - Hexyl alcohol ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Hydraulic oil (petroleum) ❌ ✅ ! ✅ - Hydraulic oil (synthetic) - - - ✅ - Hydrazine - ! ! - - Hydrobromic acid 20% ✅ ❌ ❌ ! - Hydrobromic acid 100% ✅ ❌ ❌ ! - Hydrobromic acid (hot) 37% ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Hydrochloric acid 20% - - - ✅ ❌ Hydrochloric acid 37% ! ! ! ! ❌ Hydrochloric 100% ❌ ❌ ❌ ! ❌ Hydrocyanic acid ! ! ! ✅ - Hydrofluoric acid 20% ! ! ! ! ❌ Hydrofluoric acid 50% ! ! ! ! ❌ Hydrofluoric acid 75% ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ ❌ Hydrofluoric acid 100% ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ ❌ Hydrofluorosilic acid 20% - ✅ ⚠ ✅ - Hydrofluorosilic acid 100% ✅ ! ⚠ ✅ - Hydrogen gas ! ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Hydrogen peroxide 10% - - - ✅ - Hydrogen peroxide 30% - - - ✅ - Hydrogen peroxide 50% - - - ✅ - hydrogen peroxide 100% ! ! ✅ ⚠ ❌ Hydrogen sulphide (aqua) ❌ ❌ ✅ ! ! Hydrogen sulphide (dry) ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ! Hydroxyacetic acid 70% - ✅ ✅ ❌ - Iodine ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ - Iodoform ! - ✅ ✅ - Isobutane - ✅ ❌ ✅ - Isobutyl alcohol ✅ ! ✅ ✅ - Isooctane ❌ ✅ ! - - Isopropyl acetate ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ - Isopropyl alcohol ✅ ! ! ✅ - Isopropyl chloride ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Isopropyl ether ❌ ! ⚠ ! - Kerosene ❌ ✅ ⚠ ✅ ✅ Ketones ✅ ❌ ❌ ! - Lacquers ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ - Lacquer thinners ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ - Lactic acid ✅ ✅ ✅ ! ✅ Lard ❌ ✅ ⚠ ✅ - Lavender oil ❌ ! ❌ - - Latex - ✅ - - - Lead acetate ✅ ! ! ✅ - Lead nitrate ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Lead sulphamate ! ! ✅ ✅ - Lemon oil - - - - - Lime - ✅ ✅ ✅ - Linseed oil ❌ ✅ ⚠ ✅ ⚠ Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) ❌ ✅ ! - - Lubricating oils (petroleum) ❌ ✅ ! ! - Lye ! ! ! - - Magnesium carbonate - ✅ - ✅ - Magnesium chloride ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Magnesium hydroxide ! ! ! ✅ - Magnesium nitrate - ✅ ✅ ✅ - Magnesium oxide - ✅ ✅ - - Magnesium sulphate ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Maleic acid ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅ - Maleic anhydride ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Malic acid ⚠ ✅ ⚠ ✅ - Mayonnaise ❌ ⚠ ✅ ❌ - Melamine - ⚠ ❌ ✅ - Mercuric chloride (dilute) ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ⚠ Mercuric cyanide ❌ ✅ ✅ ! - Mercury ✅ ✅ ✅ ! ✅ Mesityl oxide ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Methane ❌ ✅ ! - - Methanol ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Methyl acetate ❌ ❌ ! ❌ - Methyl acetone ❌ ❌ ! - - Methyl alcohol ✅ ✅ ✅ ! ❌ Methyl acrylate ✅ ❌ ❌ - - Methyl bromide ❌ ! ❌ ❌ - Methyl butyl ketone (propylacetone) ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅ - Methyl cellosolve ❌ ⚠ ! ! - Methyl chloride ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ - Methyl dichloride - ❌ - ✅ - Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ Methyl isobutyl ketone ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ - Methyl isopropyl ketone ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Methyl methacrylate ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Methyl oleate ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Methylamine ! ⚠ - - - Methylene chloride ! ❌ - ❌ ❌ Milk ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Mineral oil ❌ ✅ ! ✅ ⚠ Molasses ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Monochlorobenzene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Monoethanolamine ! ❌ ❌ - - Monoethylether ❌ ✅ ⚠ - - Monovinyl acetylene ! ✅ ! - - Mustard ! ⚠ ! ! - Naphtha ❌ ⚠ ❌ ⚠ ❌ Naphthalene ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ Napthenic acid ❌ ! ❌ - - Natural gas ! ✅ ✅ - - Nickel acetate ✅ ! ! - - Nickel chloride ✅ ✅ ! ✅ - Nickel sulphate ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Nitrating acid (<15% H2SO4) ⚠ - ✅ ❌ - Nitrating acid (>15% H2SO4) ⚠ - ✅ ❌ - Nitrating acid (<1% acid) ⚠ - ✅ ❌ - Nitrating acid (>S15% HNO3) ⚠ - ✅ ❌ - Nitric acid (5-10%) ❌ ❌ ! ✅ ❌ Nitric acid (20%) ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌ Nitric acid (50%) ❌ ❌ ❌ ! ❌ Nitric acid -conc. ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ Nitrous acid ⚠ - ❌ ✅ - Nitrobenzene ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ Nitroethane ! ❌ ⚠ - - Nitromethane ! ❌ ! - - Nitrogen ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Octachlorotulene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Octyl alcohol ! ! ✅ ⚠ - Oleic acid ❌ ⚠ ⚠ ⚠ - Oleum 25% ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ - Oleum 100% ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ - Olive oil ❌ ✅ ! ⚠ - Orange oil - ✅ ⚠ - - O-dichlorobenzene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Oxalic acid ! ! ! ✅ - Oxygen-cold ! ! ✅ - - Ozone ❌ ❌ ⚠ - - Palmitic acid ! ✅ ! - - Palm oil - ✅ ❌ ✅ - Paraffin ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Peanut oil ❌ ✅ ⚠ ✅ - Pentane ❌ ✅ ! ✅ - Peppermint oil - ! ❌ - - Perchloric acid ❌ ❌ ! - - Perchloroethylene ❌ ⚠ ❌ ⚠ ❌ Petrolatum ⚠ ✅ ✅ ! - Petroleum ❌ ✅ ! - - Phenol (carbolic acid) ❌ ❌ ⚠ ⚠ ❌ Phenylbenzene ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Phenyl hydrazine ✅ ❌ ❌ - - Phorone ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Phosphoric acid - 20% ❌ ❌ ! ! ❌ Phosphoric acid - 80% ❌ ❌ ❌ ! ❌ Phosphorus trichloride ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Phthalic anhydride ⚠ ! ✅ ❌ - Picric acid ! ! ! ❌ - Pine oil ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ - Polyvinyl acetate emulsion ! - ! - - Potash ! ✅ ✅ ⚠ - Potassium acetate ✅ ! ! - - Potassium bicarbonate ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Potassium bromide ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Potassium carbonate ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Potassium chlorate ! ⚠ ✅ ✅ - Potassium chloride ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Potassium chromate ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Potassium cupro cyanide ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Potassium cyanide ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Potassium dichromate ! ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Potassium ferrocyanide ✅ ✅ - ! - Potassium hydroxide ! ! ! ✅ - Potassium nitrate ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Potassium permanganate ! ⚠ ✅ ✅ - Potassium sulphate ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Potassium sulphide ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Propane ❌ ✅ ! ✅ - Propyl alcohol ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Propyl nitrate ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Propylene ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ - Pyranol (transformer oil) ❌ ✅ ! - - Pyridine ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ - Pyrogallic acid - - - ✅ - Sal ammoniac ✅ ✅ ✅ - - Salicylic acid ✅ ! ✅ - - Salt water ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Sesame seed oil - ✅ ❌ ✅ - Sewage ! ✅ ! - - Silicone greases ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ Silicone oils ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ Silver bromide - - - - - Silver nitrate ✅ ! ✅ ✅ - Skydrol 500 ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Skydrol 7000 ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Soap solutions ! ✅ ! ✅ ✅ Sodium acetate ✅ ! ! ! - Sodium aluminate ! ✅ ✅ - - Sodium bicarbonate ✅ ! ! ✅ - Sodium bisulphate ✅ ! ⚠ ✅ - Sodium busulphite ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Sodium borate (borax) ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Sodium carbonate (soda ash) ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Sodium chlorate ✅ ⚠ ✅ ✅ - Sodium chloride (brine) ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Sodium chromate - ✅ ✅ - - Sodium cyanide ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Sodium fluoride ❌ ✅ ❌ ✅ - Sodium hydrosulphite ✅ - ✅ ⚠ - Sodium hydroxide 20% ✅ ! ! ✅ - Sodium hydroxide 50% ✅ ! ! ✅ - Sodium hydroxide 80% ✅ ! ! ✅ - Sodium hypochlorite <20% ⚠ ! ! ✅ ❌ Sodium hypochlorite 100% ❌ ! ! ⚠ ❌ Sodium hyposulphate ⚠ - ⚠ - - Sodium metaphosphate ✅ ✅ ! ! - Sodium metasilicate - ✅ ✅ ✅ - Sodium nitrate ! ! ! ✅ - Sodium perborate ! ! ! ✅ - Sodium peroxide ! ! ! ! - Sodium phosphate ✅ ✅ ! - - Sodium polyphosphate ✅ ✅ ! ✅ - Sodium silicate ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Sodium sulphate ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Sodium sulphide ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Sodium sulphite ! ✅ ✅ ✅ - Sodium tetraborate - ✅ - ✅ - Sodium thiosulphate ! ! ✅ ✅ - Sorghum - ✅ ✅ - - Soybean oil ❌ ❌ ⚠ ✅ - Stannic chloride ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅ ❌ Stannic fluoborate ❌ ✅ ✅ - - Stannous chloride ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - Starch - ⚠ ✅ ✅ - Stearic acid ! ! ! ! ! Styrene ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ Sugar (liquids) ✅ ✅ ! - - Sulphate (liquor) - ✅ ✅ ! - Sulphur ❌ ❌ ✅ - - Sulphur chloride ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ - Sulphur dioxide ! ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌ Sulphuric trioxide ! ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌ Sulphuric acid 10% ⚠ ❌ ! ✅ ❌ Sulphuric acid 10-75% ❌ ❌ ⚠ ✅ ❌ Sulphuric acid 75-100% ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ Sulphurous acid ! ! ! ✅ - Sulphuryl chloride - - - - - Tallow - ✅ - - - Tanning acid ✅ ✅ ! ✅ - Tar bituminous ❌ ! ⚠ - - Tartaric acid ⚠ ✅ ! ✅ - Tetrachloroethane ❌ ❌ - ⚠ - Tetrachloroethylene ❌ ⚠ ❌ ❌ - Tetrahydrofuran ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ - Terpineol ❌ ! ❌ - - Tertiary butyl alcohol ! ! ! - - Tetraethyl lead ❌ ! ! - - Toluene ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ Transformer oil ❌ ✅ ! - - Transmission fluid -A- ❌ ✅ ! - - Trichloroethane ❌ ❌ ❌ ⚠ - Trichloroacetic acid ⚠ ! ❌ - - Trichloroethylene ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ - Trichloropropane - ✅ ✅ - - Tricresyl phosphate ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ - Triethylamine - ✅ ! ✅ - Trinitrotoluene ❌ ❌ ! - - Turbine oil ❌ ! ❌ ✅ - Turpentine ❌ ✅ ❌ ! ❌ Varnish ❌ ! ❌ ❌ - Vegetable oil ❌ ✅ ⚠ - - Vinegar ! ! ! ✅ - Vinyl chloride ❌ ❌ ❌ - - Whiskey, wines ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ - White oil ❌ ✅ ! - - Wood oil ❌ ✅ ! - - Xylene ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ Zinc chloride ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Zinc hydrosulphite - ✅ ✅ - - Zinc sulphate ! ✅ ✅ ✅ -
Magnetic Stir Bars Guide
Magnetic spin bars are useful for laboratory stirring and allow for precise mixing without mechanical parts touching the fluid, unattended operation and prevent contamination. They are ideal for small-scale, low-viscosity applications where consistency and cleanliness are critical, offering better control than manual stirring. Benefits: Contamination-free – Bars are coated with PTFE or glass, so no lubricants or metal parts enter the liquid, crucial for sensitive experiments. Quiet and efficient – Magnetic spin bars create vortexes and uniform movement compared to manual stirring Automation, precision and consistency – The motorised stirring base can stir consistenenty for long periods and also keep solutions at constant temperatures Easy to clean and handle – Simple bar designs make them easy to sterilise with magnetised coated retrieval tools to remove the bar from the solution. Things to consider when choosing a stirring bar for your application: Size – The bar needs to be able to fit through the opening of the vessel being used. Shape – Each bar shape has a slightly different effect. See the table below to choose from the range of shape options to consider, Composition – Magnetic stirring bars coated with PTFE (Teflon) are heat resistant and chemically inert, but glass coated options are ideal for very high temperature applications, as well as for use with abrasive materials. Rare Earth stirring bars – Identified by a carbon black spot on the bar, they have a much greater magnetic strength, making them useful for stirring viscous samples and are almost completely resistant to demagnetisation, so don’t require regular replacement. It can also be useful to consider mechanical (overhead) stirring . Sometimes magnetic stirring may not be sufficient if your sample is particularly viscous, or the viscosity is expected to increase during the experiment, magnetic stirring will likely not be powerful enough for the mixing process. Similarly, if there are solids or crystals in your sample then the magnetic stirring bar may grind them between the stirrer and the glass. In these instances, the use of an overhead stirrer is advised, there are also various stirring shafts available. Magnetic Spin Bar Shapes Stir Bar Stirring Style Vessel Type Cross Good general-purpose bars that create deep vortices and strong turbulence. The cross shape excels at stirring sediments, dissolving solids and provides stable, quiet operation. Their design helps prevent "jumping" and ensures consistent results. Beakers and flasks Crosshead Crosshead stir bars create strong, turbulent mixing at low speeds, preventing splashing and sedimentation by engaging the top, bottom, and sides of the vessel. Narrow test tubes, cuvettes, and flasks Cylindrical (Plain) Excellent general-purpose bars that offer smooth, consistent, and quiet mixing for routine tasks like dissolving solids, preparing solutions and maintaining uniform liquid phases. Beakers, flasks and flat-bottomed labware Disc Disc stir bars (often cross-shaped or with angled vanes) create strong turbulence and efficient mixing by generating powerful vortexes without requiring a hole in the container. Ideal for general lab applications like preparing solutions, titrations, and growing cultures. Deep vessels Double-ended Excellent for creating strong turbulence and efficient mixing, offering better centering and less contact surface than traditional bars. Ideal for low speeds, uniform mixing in sealed systems,breaking up sediment, dissolving solids, and preventing buildup on vessel walls and are great for creating suspensions. Tall or narrow vessels like test tubes or cylinders Flute Flute (or bone/cross/triangle) stir bars create strong turbulence at lower speeds, preventing splashing, and handling viscous fluids or solids that need scraping/suspension. Ideal for yeast starters, chemical reactions, and dissolving powders. Conical flasks or round-bottomed vessels Hub Hub stir bars, often with a central pivot ring for stability, are excellent for general lab mixing at slow speeds. Ideal for titrations, sample preperation, cell cultures, and chemical reactions. Their design (like the pivot ring) helps them stay centered and mix efficiently in curved containers Round or uneven-bottomed flasks Micro (Flea) Designed for stirring small volumes particularly useful for environmental testing and life science applications in which small sample volumes need to be prepared and evaluated. Vials, tubes, gradient makers spectrophotometer cells Octahedral Designed to create more turbulence at low speeds while their angled surfaces and often integrated pivot rings reduce friction and help them adapt to different container shapes for smoother, more efficient mixing of low-to-medium viscosity fluids. Vessels with uneven or curved bottoms, round-bottom flasks, vials, and tubes Oval Excellent for efficient, homogeneous mixing where standard bars might struggle, the shape conforms to curved surfaces for better contact and vortex formation. Often used in general lab work, chemistry, and life sciences. Round-bottom flasks, vials, and curved vessels, Pivot Ring Provide a stable pivot for smoother, quieter mixing, reducing friction, and preventing the bar from "walking" to the side. Ideal for general chemistry, food preperation and reactions needing consistent, low-friction stirring in non-flat containers. Flasks or vessels with curved/uneven bottoms Spherical Provide efficient, eccentric mixing due to centrifugal force pushing them to the wall, and are also used in bead mills or for creating microcapsules, ensuring thorough agitation in narrow spaces where other shapes might snag. Small volume containers, test tubes and vials Square Create strong vortex action and intense turbulence, making them ideal for thoroughly mixing solutions, especially for suspensions. They prevent solids from settling by scraping the bottom, offering better efficiency than simple round bars for tough mixing jobs. They're used in labs for chemistry, biology, homebrewing, and even specialised uses like creating microcapsules Larger vessels Tapered Great for stirring viscous liquids and for general use to create strong turbulence, center themselves well (especially octagonal ones), and move efficiently with less contact in plasticware. Ideal for strong mixing in tough-to-stir solutions like slurries or dissolving salts. Small volumes in test tubes/narrow vessels and containers with sloped bottoms Triangular Excellent for dissolving solids, mixing sediments, and preventing residue buildup. Angled shape creates strong scraping action and high turbulence at lower speeds, ensuring thorough mixing and cleaning the container bottom effectively. Large vessels Tube Provides rapid vertical and horizontal mixing with a minimum of vortexing when placed on a magnetic stirring machine. Centrifugal pumping action, generated by the cross channels in the upper face, mixes without aeration. Spectrophotometer cells, cuvettes or test tubes Wing Great for general lab mixing in small to medium volumes (≤4L), offering quiet, spill-free stirring without external moving parts. Ideal for chemistry/biology research, yeast starters, and applications needing chemical resistance or gentle mixing. Test tubes or flasks Glass Excellent for high-purity work, high-temperature applications, and with corrosive chemicals. Their borosilicate glass coating resists heat (up to 250°C+) and harsh substances, making them ideal for trace analysis and processes needing a clean, non-reactive stirrer. Beakers, flasks and flat-bottomed labware There are a range of Magnetic Retrival Tools available at ProSciTech.
Operating Pipette Filler Bulbs
The pipette is gently pushed/twisted into the tube base of the long arm. Gently squeeze the upper or middle valve while squeezing the bulb ‐ this will allow the bulb to suck fluid up. Insert the tip of the pipette into the liquid and then press the middle valve to draw liquid into the pipette to the desired volume. Move the pipette/bulb assembly into position to expel the liquid. Some pipettes are calibrated for 'run‐out' by gravity; they retain a drop or two in the pipette ‐ other pipettes are designed for 'blow‐out' to measure the correct volume. A standard three-valve pipette filler bulb, often called a "propipette", is used to safely and accurately draw up and dispense liquids, replacing hazardous mouth pipetting (as below). The valves are labelled A (Air), S (Suction), and E (Empty) to control liquid flow.
Standard Stopper Sizes
Standard white rubber stopper size dimensions Size Top Bottom Height 000 (MS08) 11.9mm 8.7mm 19.0mm 00 (MS11) 15.6mm 10.3mm 27.4mm 0 (MS13) 17.5mm 12.7mm 25.4mm 1 (MS14) 20.7mm 13.9mm 25.4mm 2 (MS15) 22.2mm 15.9mm 25.4mm 3 (MS17) 23.8mm 17.5mm 25.4mm 4 (MS19) 25.8mm 19.8mm 25.4mm 5 (MS22) 26.9mm 23.0mm 25.4mm 7 (MS29) 38.1mm 31.8mm 25.4mm 8 (MS33) 41.4mm 33.3mm 25.4mm 9 (MS38) 47.8mm 38.1mm 25.4mm 11 1/2 60.0mm 51.0mm 26.0mm 12 1/2 66.7mm 54.0mm 31.8mm ‐ 66.7mm 50.8mm 50.8mm 13 69.9mm 60.3mm 28.6mm 13 1/2 75.0mm 61.0mm 26.0mm 14 15 ‐ 108.0mm 88.9mm 38.1mm ‐ 133.3mm 108.0mm 50.8mm ‐ 155.6mm 139.7mm 50.8mm Note: Rubber is ethylene propylene diene monomer, EPT, EPDM. It can tolerate up to 130°C