When it comes to laboratory containers, accuracy, precision, and control are key. Choosing the right option for your application is critical. In your daily workflow, safety and convenience are essential, especially when working with hazardous chemicals that can react with the container material or cause accidental injury or exposure.
At Med Lab Supply, we understand the importance of this and know that the right container can also help offer the reliability you need to keep experiments contamination-free, maintain sample integrity, and achieve accurate results. Borosilicate glass, polypropylene plastic, and polystyrene containers each have their individual benefits, but which is right for your application?
Borosilicate Grade Glass Containers
The special advantage of this Type 1, Class A borosilicate 3.3 glass is that it allows for very low coefficients of thermal expansion. This makes it a much sturdier design compared to standard soda-lime glass and less likely to shatter due to its resistance to thermal shock. In the lab, this is especially important for testing and experiments, as this material can undergo extreme and rapid temperature changes without cracking, contributing to efficiency and the safety of workers.
This type of glass is highly chemically resistant, making it ideal for storing most reagents, strong acids and bases, biological fluids, and organic solvents, and is suitable for long-term storage. Every piece of labware manufactured using borosilicate glass is designed to provide a superior performance, including beakers, vacuum filtering flasks, Erlenmeyer flasks, graduated cylinders, and test tubes.
The many benefits and applications of borosilicate glass containers include:
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Thermal Resilience: It can withstand temperatures typically between -50°C and 500°C (-58°F and 932°F), and rapid heating and cooling up to 170°C (338°F). It also supports long-term heating without compromising the structural integrity or interfering with the results.
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Chemical Resistance: It is a stable and inert material that minimizes the risk of reactions when holding or storing most acids and bases, organic solvents, and even during long-term storage.
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Minimal Leaching: It resists chemical corrosion, making it a preferred option for sensitive analytical work and holding alcohol and oils, especially for long-term storage.
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Clear Graduated Markings: For accurate measuring and pouring of liquids and reagents.
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Clear for Visibility: It provides visibility for the observation of reactions and clarity for accurate readings and precision compared to plastic containers.
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Durability: It offers superior durability for repeated and long-term use, with a high resistance to scratching, clouding, or cracking, and can withstand high-temperatures for easy sterilization.
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UV Protection: This is provided using amber-tinted borosilicate glass containers to help prevent the degradation of light-sensitive compounds.
Some lab glassware, such as our Hybex Glass Media Bottles, can even withstand temperatures from -70°C to 500°C (-94°F to 932°F) and are designed to permit repeated use in freezers, microwaves, autoclaves, and dry heat sterilization chambers.
Using high-quality borosilicate glass containers in your lab work can help support your workflow and deliver more reliable, consistent results. This choice of labware container provides the safest long-term storage option compared to using plastic containers due to the risk of solvent-plastic interactions and leaching.
Polypropylene (PP) and Polystyrene Plastic Containers
While borosilicate glass is commonly known as the standard for purity and chemical resistance, there are many advantages to laboratory plasticware and its uses for life science research. These containers are convenient and provide a cost-effective option, including non-sterile, sterile, and one-use items to help maintain a high level of sterility and prevent cross-contamination.
It also has the added benefit of being shatterproof, allowing for safer use in high-traffic lab areas or cold-room environments, minimizing the risk of breakage or sample loss. Polypropylene containers are commonly used as a flexible material in centrifugation and polystyrene media bottles for vacuum filtration.
The various benefits and applications of polypropylene and polystyrene plastic containers include:
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High-Volume Storage: This is due to the lightweight design of containers such as polypropylene carboys and availability in various sizes, including 5L, 10L, 20L, and 40L. These are ideal for biological samples and high-volume liquid storage of buffers, water, and reagents.
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Cost Efficiency: Both plastic materials are relatively inexpensive and convenient for reliable long-term use, or for easy replacement with some single-use options.
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High-Temperature Tolerance: Compared to other plastic containers, polypropylene is suitable for sterilization processes and can be autoclaved up to 121°C (250°F). It also offers strength and resilience in harsh environments, such as cold-room storage, maintaining its structural integrity.
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Chemical Resistance: It is resistant to many common laboratory reagents, including diluted acids, bases, and many organic solvents.
There are a few key differences between polypropylene and polystyrene. Unlike the strong, shatterproof material of polypropylene, polystyrene has lower heat resistance and is more brittle and can crack if dropped or under pressure. It is also not typically suitable for autoclaving but offers an optical clarity similar to glass.
Our selection of polypropylene labware products includes carboys, media bottles, and funnels, and polystyrene Autofil Media Bottles are designed for life science research, including tissue culture, media, serum, and buffers.
Efficient Workflows with High-Quality Labware
Whether you are looking for borosilicate glass containers for high-heat applications and long-term storage of harsh chemicals, or polypropylene plastic containers for high-volume research or cold room storage, we have a selection of options to meet your needs.
For many years, at Med Lab Supply, we have been a trusted provider of high-quality science glassware for labs and compounding pharmacies. We offer guaranteed fast, secure, and discreet delivery, with the option of overnight shipping — all at affordable discounted rates compared to other brands. Without compromising on quality, thanks to our efficiency in manufacturing and distribution.
Explore our full range of laboratory supplies and optimize and elevate your lab workflows today.
