Characteristic properties of commonly used laboratory plastic materials

A laboratory chemist is always on the lookout for container materials which can be used for handling and dispensing of all types of solvents, chemicals, oils, etc. However, this dream has remained unfulfilled for ages. In the last few decades plastics have supplemented common glassware as they have provided some viable options.在玻璃和塑料工具之间做出决定讨论塑料商品的好处和缺点。

The present article covers some common plastic materials which have been used for fabrication of laboratory items.

Polyethylene

聚乙烯或聚乙烯是最丰富的制造塑料材料。聚乙烯通常可作为薄透明纸使用，用于制作固体测试样品粉末和其他容器（例如瓶子）的包装。来自聚乙烯的其他重要塑料材料是HDPE和LDPE。

高密度聚乙烯（HDPE）

HDPE是聚乙烯的刚性变体，具有更好的影响耐药性，并显示出对酸和碱，醇，碳氢化合物，碳氢化合物，酮和油的耐药性，并且可以承受高达120摄氏度的高温C。管道。HDPE文章不应被高压灭菌。

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)

LDPE比HDPE显示出更大的灵活性，用于制作洗瓶，分配瓶，管盖和实验室托盘。它的耐热性比HDPE较低，最多只能使用80度，并且不能被高压灭菌。它显示出对稀酸和醇的耐药性，但可以通过氧化剂，卤素，芳烃和矿物油攻击

Polymethylpentene (PMP or TPX)

多甲基苯乙烯是一种偏爱的塑料，因为其刚性，抗耐药性和耐热性高达120度。它是可容纳的，可以在制造体积瓶，烧杯，测量气缸和光窗户上使用。它表现出对酸，碱，醇，矿物油和醛的良好耐药性，但在长期暴露于氧化剂，碳氢化合物和酮时可能会变形。

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

PET是一种透明的塑料材料，对弱酸，醇和脂肪族烃表现出良好的耐药性。它发现常见用作媒体瓶，水瓶，可支配移液器和面部保护罩。不建议使用宠物物品的高压灭菌。

Polystyrene

Polystyrene shows good strength and rigidity alongwith excellent transparency. It can be recycled for re-use. However, its use is limited to an upper temperature of about 70 degrees centigrade. The items commonly made from it are plastic test tubes, centrifuge tubes, tube racks, serological pipettes, petri dishes and pipettes. It is compatible with aqueous solutions, weak acids and bases but is attacked by aromatic and halogenated solvents.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate shows good strength and is used for the manufacture of safety shields, vacuum desiccators and centrifuge tubes. It is autoclavable. However, it shows poor compatibility with acids, halogenated hydrocarbons, bases but shows appreciable resistance towards oil and organic solvents.

Polypropylene (PP)

聚丙烯具有良好的强度，是一种半透明的材料。它可以在最高135度的温度下使用，因此可容纳高压剂。它与酸，碱，醛，酮，酮和脂肪族碳氢化合物兼容。它用于制造可能需要频繁灭菌的托盘和罐子等物品。

PMMA plastic or acrylic

丙烯酸通常用于制造安全罩和透明桌面。它对大多数化学物质的耐药性较低，并且耐热性也低。由PMMA塑料制成的常见物品是光学比色杯

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

PTFE is a fluoropolymer which is also commonly called Teflon. It is highly inert material. In addition it has high temperature stability and non-adhesive nature. It is commonly used as magnetic stirrers, stop-cocks, valves, tube connectors, beakers and centrifuge tubes.Teflon tape is commonly used for securing leak free seals for gas connections.

Plastic ware offers several benefits over common laboratory glassware items but you should also be aware of appropriate cleaning practices that should be adopted for such reusable items.