How to Select and Care for Centrifuge Tubes

When you select the correct centrifuge tube, you ensure chemical compatibility, prevent sample loss or leakage, and enable easy sample recovery. In the process of selecting tubes, the material of the tube is significant. In addition to chemical resistance, it should have the clarity and sealing mechanism that you need.

Popular tubing materials include polypropylene (PP), polyallomer (PA), polycarbonate (PC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Both PP and PA are opaque and offer good chemical resistance. PC and PET are clear and provide poor chemical resistance.

Additional Tips

To assess suggested sample volume and maximum speed, review product guidelines or scan tube packaging

Run thin-walled, sealed tubes full in a fixed angle or vertical motor

Autoclave tubes only if absolutely necessary and only at 121°C for 15 minutes

Don’t clean plastic tubes in glassware washers or automated dishwashers (they may produce excessively hot temperatures)

Clean tubes with a mild laboratory detergent in warm water. Rinse and air dry

To prolong tube life, prevent sample loss, and prevent breakage, match tubes carefully with rotor type

Rotor types

Swinging Bucket: tubes are placed in vertically-hanging individual buckets. When the rotor rotates, the buckets swing out to a horizontal position

Fixed Angle: tubes are fixed at the angle of the rotor cavity. Once the rotor rotates, the solution in the tube reorients

Vertical: tubes remain vertical during rotation

For more on chemical resistance, see our chemical compatibility database. View our selection of centrifuge tubes and centrifuges.