The material composition of micro centrifuge tubes in more detail

The material composition of micro centrifuge tubes is a critical aspect that directly impacts their performance and suitability for various laboratory applications. The choice of materials ensures that the tubes are chemically resistant, mechanically robust, biologically inert, and compatible with specific experimental conditions. The most commonly used material for micro centrifuge tubes is polypropylene, but other specialized materials are also available to cater to specific research needs. 

Polypropylene (PP): Polypropylene is the most widely used material for manufacturing micro centrifuge tubes. PP is a thermoplastic polymer that exhibits excellent chemical resistance, making it compatible with a wide range of reagents and solvents commonly used in laboratory applications. It is also resistant to most acids, bases, and organic compounds, ensuring that the tube material does not interact with or contaminate the samples being processed.

Autoclavable PP: Many micro centrifuge tubes made from polypropylene are autoclavable. Autoclaving is a common method of sterilization in laboratories, and autoclavable tubes can withstand the high temperatures and pressure associated with this process without deformation or degradation. This feature is essential for applications requiring aseptic techniques or when the tubes need to be reused after sterilization.

Low-Binding PP: Some micro centrifuge tubes are treated with additives to reduce sample binding to the tube walls. Low-binding PP minimizes sample loss during pipetting and centrifugation, ensuring accurate and consistent results, especially when handling low-volume or precious samples.

Temperature Resistance: Polypropylene micro centrifuge tubes have excellent temperature resistance, allowing them to be used across a broad temperature range. They can withstand freezing temperatures, making them suitable for storing samples in ultra-low temperature freezers, as well as elevated temperatures during various heat-based experiments such as PCR and enzymatic reactions.

Biologically Inert: Polypropylene is considered biologically inert, meaning it does not interact with biological samples or interfere with biochemical reactions. This characteristic is crucial in applications involving nucleic acid research, protein analysis, cell culture, and clinical diagnostics, where sample integrity and purity are paramount.