A Practical Guide to Choosing Tubes Based on Solvent Compatibility
When working in a laboratory, how often do you actually check the chemical resistance of the tubes you use?
You might be thinking, “They’re just tubes — they all look the same!”
But that assumption could be putting your experiment, samples, and even your equipment at risk.
💡 PP? PS? What’s the Difference?
Among the most common tube materials, Polypropylene (PP) and Polystyrene (PS) are often used — but their chemical resistance differs significantly.
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PP tubes offer high resistance to alcohols, weak acids, and weak bases. They can also withstand short-term contact with various organic solvents.
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PS tubes, while offering superior clarity, are far more vulnerable to chemical damage. Even basic lab solvents like ethanol or acetone can cause deformation, whitening, or cracks.
Assuming that a tube that worked once will always work can lead to disaster — especially when using aggressive solvents or performing long-term storage.
🔬 Real-Life Lab Problems You Might Be Facing
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A crack appears after storing ethanol overnight
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Tubes become cloudy or brittle after contact with detergents
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Liquid leaks from screw caps after long-term storage
Sound familiar? These are classic cases of chemical incompatibility, and they often happen when tube material isn’t matched properly with the solvent.
🧰 How WATSON Tubes Help You Avoid These Issues
Most WATSON tubes are made from high-grade PP, making them well-suited for demanding tasks such as:
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Nucleic acid extraction and spin-downs — resistant to organic solvents and strong enough for high-speed centrifugation
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Long-term cold storage — reliable sealing without O-rings
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Daily pipetting and mixing — with clear graduations and tough, autoclavable design
When choosing a tube, ask yourself:
What solvent am I using, and how long will it be in contact with the tube?
Answering that can save you time, money, and headaches down the road.
📥 Want to Know More?
We’re currently preparing a downloadable PDF of WATSON’s chemical resistance chart, so you can choose your labware with confidence.
Stay tuned — the link will be shared on our blog once it’s ready.
Your samples deserve the best protection.
Start with the right tube — and make chemical resistance part of your daily workflow.