Introduction to Laboratory Plastics
Plastic products are increasingly becoming the preferred alternative to their glass counterparts. Their resistance to damage, light weight and lower cost make them increasingly popular among laboratory users. Nevertheless, the key aspect is the right choice of the material from which they are made. This choice is fundamental to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the tests performed. It is worth noting that often the same type of laboratory equipment is available in different variants, made of different types of plastic.
In the following article we will discuss in more detail the most common types of plastics used in laboratories.
Table of Contents:
- Introduction to laboratory plastics
- Variety of Plastics Used in Laboratories
- Chemical properties of plastics
- Physical characteristics of plastics in the lab
- Applications of laboratory plastics
- Summary
Variety of Plastics Used in Laboratories
Plastics are an extremely versatile alternative to traditional glass products in laboratories. When choosing the right material, the key is not only its properties, but also its suitability for specific laboratory applications. Below are some of the most common types of plastics used in laboratories.
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene is a polymer formed from propene, characterized by excellent thermal resistance, odorlessness and low hygroscopicity. Thanks to its thermoplastic properties, polypropylene is used to make accessories of various shapes and sizes. It also offers high resistance to high-speed spinning and autoclave sterilization. Polypropylene products such as baggies, bottles, cylinders and test tubes are popular due to their high quality and versatility of applications.
Polyethylene (PE)
Polyethylene, obtained by polymerizing ethylene, can be divided into two fractions: lower density (LDPE) and higher density (HDPE). It is a proven raw material for the production of flexible items such as bottles, stoppers, droppers and sprinklers. The chemical resistance and flexibility of plastic make polyethylene applicable to many types of laboratory products.
Polyethylene (LDPE)
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a popular laboratory material because of its chemical resistance, low water absorption, good insulation properties, flexibility, low toxicity and resistance to low temperatures. It is used to make containers, cups and other laboratory supplies.
Polystyrene (PS)
Polystyrene, derived from styrene, is an inflexible, lightweight and stable plastic. Although it is not resistant to high temperatures, it has found use as a lightweight alternative to glass. Polystyrene products, such as spectrophotometer cuvettes and test tubes, are characterized by high transparency and surface gloss.
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate, which is a polymer in the polyester group, offers lightness, transparency and considerable strength. Its resistance to moisture, varying temperatures and chemicals makes it an ideal material for cryogenic boxes and racks, ensuring safe storage of test tubes at liquid nitrogen temperatures.
Polymethylpentene (PMP)
Polymethylpentene is a polymer from the polyolefin group, characterized by low density, exceptional lightness and transparency. Its rigidity, as well as its mechanical and thermal resistance, make it used in the manufacture of funnels, beakers or volumetric flasks.
Styrene-Acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN)
A thermoplastic copolymer of styrene and acrylonitrile, it is characterized by high transparency and surface hardness. It is ideal for beaker production, providing a material with moderate temperature resistance.
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, Plexi)
Polymethyl methacrylate, also known as Plexiglas or organic glass, is a lightweight and rigid plastic with excellent optical properties. Although it has moderate temperature resistance, it is commonly used in the manufacture of laboratory components such as jars and Petri dishes.
Properties of plastics
It is worth noting that these values are general and may vary depending on the specific type and brand of plastic in question.
Variety of Plastics Used in Laboratories
Plastics are an extremely versatile alternative to traditional glass products in laboratories. When choosing the right material, the key is not only its properties, but also its suitability for specific laboratory applications. Below are some of the most common types of plastics used in laboratories.
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene is a polymer formed from propene, characterized by excellent thermal resistance, odorlessness and low hygroscopicity. Thanks to its thermoplastic properties, polypropylene is used to make accessories of various shapes and sizes. It also offers high resistance to high-speed spinning and autoclave sterilization. Polypropylene products such as baggies, bottles, cylinders and test tubes are popular due to their high quality and versatility of applications.
Polyethylene (PE)
Polyethylene, obtained by polymerizing ethylene, can be divided into two fractions: lower density (LDPE) and higher density (HDPE). It is a proven raw material for the production of flexible items such as bottles, stoppers, droppers and sprinklers. The chemical resistance and flexibility of plastic make polyethylene applicable to many types of laboratory products.
Polyethylene (LDPE)
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a popular laboratory material because of its chemical resistance, low water absorption, good insulation properties, flexibility, low toxicity and resistance to low temperatures. It is used to make containers, cups and other laboratory supplies.
Polystyrene (PS)
Polystyrene, derived from styrene, is an inflexible, lightweight and stable plastic. Although it is not resistant to high temperatures, it has found use as a lightweight alternative to glass. Polystyrene products, such as spectrophotometer cuvettes and test tubes, are characterized by high transparency and surface gloss.
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate, which is a polymer in the polyester group, offers lightness, transparency and considerable strength. Its resistance to moisture, varying temperatures and chemicals makes it an ideal material for cryogenic boxes and racks, ensuring safe storage of test tubes at liquid nitrogen temperatures.
Polymethylpentene (PMP)
Polymethylpentene is a polymer from the polyolefin group, characterized by low density, exceptional lightness and transparency. Its rigidity, as well as its mechanical and thermal resistance, make it used in the manufacture of funnels, beakers or volumetric flasks.
Styrene-Acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN)
A thermoplastic copolymer of styrene and acrylonitrile, it is characterized by high transparency and surface hardness. It is ideal for beaker production, providing a material with moderate temperature resistance.
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, Plexi)
Polymethyl methacrylate, also known as Plexiglas or organic glass, is a lightweight and rigid plastic with excellent optical properties. Although it has moderate temperature resistance, it is commonly used in the manufacture of laboratory components such as jars and Petri dishes.