
15–30 mL Freestanding Centrifuge Tubes with Screw Caps — PPC, Natural, 250/Bag (220-3530-080)
These 30 mL freestanding centrifuge tubes from Caplugs® Evergreen are molded from Polypropylene Copolymer (PPC) in a natural (translucent) finish, supplied non-sterile in a convenient 250/Bag pack for high-throughput laboratory operations. PPC offers improved optical clarity over standard homopolymer polypropylene, letting technicians visually inspect contents through the tube wall without transferring samples — a meaningful advantage during cell harvest, density gradient work, and SPE fraction collection. The flat freestanding base eliminates rack dependency during bench processing, and a compatible screw cap (sold separately) provides a secure seal for centrifugation and storage.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Part Number (MPN) | 220-3530-080 |
| Capacity | 30 mL |
| Geometry | Freestanding base, centrifuge tube body |
| Material | Polypropylene Copolymer (PPC) |
| Color | Natural (translucent) |
| Cap Style | Screw cap (sold separately) |
| Sterility | Non-Sterile |
| Pack Size | 250/Bag |
| BPA / Phthalate / Latex | BPA-Free, Phthalate-Free, Latex-Free |
| Country of Origin | USA |
Applications
- Cell culture harvest of suspension cultures at the 30 mL scale — freestanding base allows rack-free bench handling during large-batch processing
- Bulk reagent preparation and aliquoting where a self-standing tube reduces handling steps
- Density gradient centrifugation (Ficoll, Percoll) in swing-bucket or fixed-angle rotors; verify rotor compatibility with this tube format before use
- Solid-phase extraction (SPE) eluate collection under a 30 mL manifold — PPC clarity enables direct visual monitoring of fraction volume and color
- Water bath incubation up to approximately 80 °C
- Cold-room and freezer storage at 4 °C or −20 °C, where PPC's improved low-temperature flexibility reduces the risk of cracking versus homopolymer PP
Chemical Resistance
| Reagent / Condition | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Aqueous buffers / saline | Excellent — inert across pH 2–12 |
| Dilute acids / bases (<10%) | Excellent — broad pH resistance |
| Methanol / acetonitrile (<100%) | Excellent — full organic solvent compatibility |
| Ethanol / isopropanol (<100%) | Excellent — compatible for extraction and fixation |
| Cell culture media | Excellent — low protein-binding surface |
| Cold storage (−80 °C) | Excellent — PPC retains flexibility at low temperatures |
| Ethyl acetate | Limited — short-term contact only; avoid prolonged exposure |
| Dichloromethane / chloroform | Not compatible — causes cracking; do not use |
Quality & Procurement
Made in USA, these Caplugs® Evergreen centrifuge tubes are manufactured from FDA-compliant, BPA-free, phthalate-free, and latex-free PPC resin under ISO 9001 quality management practices. LabSupplies.com is an authorized dealer carrying USA inventory; most stocking items ship the same business day. Volume pricing is available at 10 or more bags, making these tubes a practical choice for institutional procurement, grant-funded research programs, and high-throughput clinical laboratories managing large centrifuge tube consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these centrifuge tubes sterile?
No — part number 220-3530-080 is supplied non-sterile. For cell culture or other sterility-sensitive workflows, users should autoclave the tubes before use or source a sterile-certified alternative.
Is a cap included in the 250/Bag pack?
No. The compatible screw cap is sold separately. Confirm the correct cap part number with your LabSupplies.com representative to ensure a proper seal before centrifugation.
Why choose PPC over standard polypropylene for centrifuge tubes?
Polypropylene Copolymer (PPC) provides improved optical clarity compared with homopolymer PP, so technicians can visually inspect sample volume, pellet formation, and gradient band positions directly through the tube wall. PPC also retains greater flexibility at cold temperatures (−20 °C and below), reducing the likelihood of cracking during frozen storage or cold-room centrifugation runs.
Can these tubes be used with chlorinated solvents such as chloroform or dichloromethane?
No. Chlorinated solvents are not compatible with PPC and will cause the tube to crack. For workflows involving chloroform or dichloromethane, select a tube made from a compatible material such as PTFE or glass.