Because most tubes found in laboratories have rounded or conical shaped bottoms, a sturdy tube rack is necessary for hands-free work.
With some exceptions, tube racks are designed to accommodate very specific tubes, so different kinds of racks are needed when a variety of tubes are used.
For example: If samples are primarily collected in 5mL round bottom 12 x 75mm tubes, a tube rack designed to hold tubes with a 17mm diameter, would leave too much empty space to properly secure these tubes.
Besides matching the dimensions of each tube to the correct rack, what are other key features to consider when selecting tube racks for your laboratory?
Durability is the most important property of a good laboratory tube rack.
A durable laboratory tube rack is made from sturdy materials that are resistant to solvents and chemicals and will withstand a temperature range that includes repeated incubation and freezing.
Some tube racks may be autoclavable, which means they can withstand temperatures exceeding 121C allowing them to be decontaminated, while other tube racks are safe to be stored at ultra-low temperatures in the -86C range.
Because laboratory tube racks hold patient samples and other solvents, an autoclavable tube rack makes it easy to return the rack to use following a mistake or accidental spill.
What materials make the best laboratory tube racks?
Polypropylene is commonly selected for laboratory tube racks on account of its ability to hold up to extreme temperatures, chemical resistance, and color choice options.
While polypropylene is generally safe to autoclave, if the tube rack is made from thin crisscross pieces of plastic, they can become very brittle.
Plastic tube racks are the most versatile in terms of color and configuration options.
These four-way tube racks sport different sized cavities on each side allowing them to accommodate many tube types without taking up additional space.
Coated metal tube racks dampen noise and keep tubes safe.
Tube racks can be made from a variety of metals which are lightweight and stand up to very harsh use.
Coated wire tube racks are typically covered with high density polyethylene to prevent the tube rack from rusting.
This protective coating reduces “clinking” tube sounds and minimizes the likelihood of glass breakage.
Coated wire tube racks come in sizes perfect for clinical labs and specialty sized for 250mL or 500mL conical tubes used when scaling up manufacturing.
Stellar Scientific has a wide selection of tube rack to protect, organize and store your lab tubes