Choosing the Best Material for Your Test Tubes

Borosilicate Glass Test Tubes

Best For:

High-temperature applications, chemical reactions, and repeated sterilisation.

Benefits:

• Superior thermal resistance: Withstands direct flame, boiling, and autoclaving without cracking.
• Excellent chemical durability: Resistant to acids, alkalis, and solvents.
• Clarity: Crystal-clear for easy sample observation.
• Reusable: Can be cleaned and reused many times.

Limitations:

• Higher cost: More expensive than plastic options.
• Breakable: Can shatter if dropped or mishandled.

Ideal Uses:

Heating, boiling, chemical reactions, and applications that require repeated sterilisation.

 

Neutral Glass Test Tubes

Best For:

General laboratory use where moderate chemical and thermal resistance is sufficient.

Benefits:

• Good chemical resistance: Suitable for most aqueous solutions and mild chemicals.
• Clarity: Clear for easy sample visualisation.
• Reusable: Can be cleaned and reused multiple times.

Limitations:

• Lower thermal resistance: Not as robust as borosilicate glass for high-temperature applications.
• Breakable: Like all glass, can shatter if dropped.

Ideal Uses:

Routine lab work, sample storage, and general mixing where extreme heat isn’t required.

 

Polypropylene (PP) Test Tubes

Best For:

Chemical resistance, centrifugation, and storage of sensitive samples.

Benefits:

• Excellent chemical resistance: Withstands acids, bases, and organic solvents.
• Autoclavable: Can be sterilized by autoclaving.
• Shatterproof: Durable and safe for high-speed centrifugation.
• Cost-effective: Affordable for routine use.

Limitations:

• Opaque: Not as clear as glass or polystyrene, making sample observation more difficult.
• Lower heat resistance: Not suitable for direct flame or dry heat sterilisation.

Ideal Uses:

Molecular biology, clinical labs, centrifugation, and storage of chemicals or biological samples.

 

Polystyrene (PS) Test Tubes

Best For:

Optical clarity and general laboratory use.

Benefits:

• Crystal-clear transparency: Ideal for visual sample inspection and spectrophotometry.
• Cost-effective: Inexpensive for high-throughput or disposable applications.
• Smooth surface: Reduces sample adhesion.

Limitations:

• Limited chemical resistance: Not suitable for strong acids, bases, or organic solvents.
• Not autoclavable: Cannot be sterilised by heat.
• Brittle: Can crack or break under stress or impact.

Ideal Uses:

Cell culture, sample storage, spectrophotometry, and general lab work where clarity is essential, and chemical exposure is mild.

 

Quick Comparison Table

Material	Heat Resistance	Chemical Resistance	Clarity	Reusability	Cost	Best For
Borosilicate Glass	Excellent	Excellent	Clear	Yes	Higher	Heating, reactions, sterilizing
Neutral Glass	Good	Good	Clear	Yes	Moderate	Routine lab work
Polypropylene	Good	Excellent	Opaque	Yes	Low	Centrifugation, storage
Polystyrene	Poor	Limited	Crystal-clear	No	Low	Visual inspection, disposables

 

Conclusion

 

Choosing the right test tube material is about matching your workflow’s needs with the strengths of each option.

• Borosilicate glass is your go-to for heat and chemical resistance.
• Neutral glass is excellent for everyday lab tasks.
• Polypropylene excels in terms of chemical resistance and durability for centrifugation and storage applications.
• Polystyrene is perfect for applications where clarity and disposability are key.

 

Still unsure?

Contact Chromatography Direct’s experts for personalised advice or request a sample pack to test in your workflow.

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