Choose the rubber stopper of the correct size for your container. A rubber stopper is designed such that the top end is wider than the bottom end. A rubber stopper will be the correct size for a flask or test tube if the bottom end is narrower than the opening of the flask or test tube, but the top end is wider.
Link to Xiangyi
Choose the correct number of holes in the stopper. Most rubber stoppers are solid pieces of rubber with no holes in them. These are fine for working with non-volatile chemicals that do not build up pressure in a sealed container. Certain chemical mixtures have high volatility and can create gas pressure that can break a glass flask or test tube. For such mixtures, stoppers with holes should be used to allow the gas to escape before too much pressure builds. Chemists also use stoppers with holes if they are using the flask or test tube as part of a larger apparatus, such as a distillation apparatus, and will be connecting various sealed containers together with tubing that runs from stopper to stopper. Note that when inserting tubing into the hole of a rubber stopper, a lubricant should always be used to reduce the risk of breaking the tubing or container when forcing it into the hole.
Your Guide to Rubber Stoppers
In laboratory science, details matter.
Quality reproducible results are only as good as the quality of materials used, the durable laboratory equipment used, and the facilitating scientist. Whether your lab&#;s processes are qualitative or quantitative, precision and care must be taken at all stages of work for the best outcomes, including selection and handling of all materials and supplies. For example, you might work with biological samples as well as chemicals and reagents in different capacities throughout the laboratory. Sometimes, labs function with several different testing procedures happening simultaneously. A quality control or quality assurance laboratory might test for several different variables in one product, or one variable for several different products. Considering the many booming scientific industries, possibilities for laboratory configurations remain endless.
These larger systems of study and testing must rely on their component parts, the smaller pieces of logistics and operations to support outstanding results and successful outcomes, for the information being sought. These component parts include high-quality laboratory supplies, down to the smallest item: enter the rubber stopper.
Test tubes are slender containers that hold small amounts of liquid or other materials used in testing and storage, for example, blood or tissue samples. Test tubes containing materials or reagents must be properly sealed and stored at all times. High-quality rubber stoppers make this possible. Most commonly made of natural, black rubber, they are pliable and fit tightly when the size is appropriately chosen according to test tube size and opening.
Are you interested in learning more about pharmacy glass bottles? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Below you will find a chart with common rubber stopper sizes, the diameter of the top and the diameter of the bottom of each stopper.
Your Guide to Rubber Stoppers
Rubber Stopper #: Top Diameter: Bottom Diameter: 000 13 mm 8mm 00 15 mm 10 mm 0 17 mm 13 mm 1 19 mm 14 mm 2 20 mm 16 mm 3 24 mm 18 mm 4 13 mm 8mm 5 27 mm 23 mm 5½ 28 mm 24 mm 6 32 mm 26 mm 6½ 34 mm 27 mm 7 37 mm 30 mm 7½ 39 mm 31 mm 8 41 mm 33 mm 8½ 43 mm 36 mm 9 45 mm 37 mm 9½ 46 mm 38 mm 10 50 mm 42 mmThe Lab Depot carries several different test tubes from different manufacturers. The United Scientific rubber stoppers we sell will fit all test tubes, based on the sizing chart listed here. They are autoclavable and best for non-aggressive, concentrated solutions.
Considering even the smallest details of your laboratory&#;s operations yields the highest quality results, even down to the rubber stoppers you use to secure your test tubes. Great science calls for precision. Ensure the quality and reliability of your laboratory&#;s applications by making sure you are using the best products available.
©The Lab Depot