80-Well Microtube Rack for 1.5mL and 2.0mL Tubes
The Heathrow Scientific 80-Well Microtube Rack adopts the 5x16 fraction-collector plate layout — the industry-recognized format for organizing 1.5mL and 2.0mL microcentrifuge tube sets in molecular biology, biochemistry, and genomics workflows. Each rack holds 80 tubes in 11mm-diameter wells with embossed index numbers for immediate position identification and a frosted labeling area on the rack base for project annotation. Autoclavable polypropylene construction. Available in seven colors including an assorted 5-color pack. Sold in packs of 5 racks.
Specifications
| Material | Polypropylene |
| Autoclavable | Yes |
| Autoclave Temperature | 121°C (250°F) |
| Certifications | REACH, RoHS2 |
| Compatible Tubes | 1.5mL and 2.0mL microcentrifuge tubes |
| Well Count | 80 (5 x 16 array) |
| Well Diameter | 11mm |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 8.9 x 2.6 x 1.0 in (22.5 x 6.7 x 2.8 cm) |
| Colors Available | Natural, Blue, Green, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Red, Assorted |
| Sold As | Pack of 5 racks |
| Brand | Heathrow Scientific |
Features & Benefits
- 5x16 fraction-collector format: The 5-row by 16-column array replicates the layout used in fraction collector systems, allowing direct transfer of HPLC fraction tubes, gel elution aliquots, and sequential reaction tubes from the collector to the rack without reorientation or relabeling.
- 80-well 11mm diameter: Sized for standard 1.5mL and 2.0mL microcentrifuge tubes — the most commonly used tube format in molecular biology, including PCR tubes, reaction tubes, sample aliquots, and column eluates.
- Embossed index numbers: Position coordinates are embossed directly into the polypropylene at each well, surviving autoclaving, solvent exposure, and abrasion without fading — a critical feature for labs maintaining chain-of-custody documentation on tube position assignments.
- Frosted labeling area: A textured frosted panel on the rack base accepts both permanent marker and adhesive labels, providing a consistent location for project name, date, and experiment ID annotation.
- Compact footprint: The 22.5 x 6.7 cm rack dimensions are optimized for fitting multiple racks side-by-side in limited bench space or stacking for compact storage.
- Autoclavable polypropylene: Withstands standard sterilization cycles for reuse across multiple experiments and complete decontamination between different sample types.
- Seven color options: Natural, Blue, Green, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Red, and an Assorted 5-pack (Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Pink) for color-coded experiment or sample-type organization.
- Pack of 5 racks: Multi-rack packs support experiment-scale purchasing, providing enough racks to organize a full multi-condition experiment without reordering mid-protocol.
Applications
The 5x16 fraction-collector format makes the 80-Well Microtube Rack the natural companion to HPLC and FPLC fraction collection systems. After automated collection, fractions move directly from the collector tray to the 80-well rack in the same positional order, with the embossed index numbers corresponding to the chromatography software's fraction numbering. Genomics labs performing 96-well plate reformatting routinely use 80-well racks to stage the microtubes used in reformatting steps before returning to plate-based workflows. Proteomics sample preparation labs organize gel extraction aliquots in color-coded 80-well racks that track sample progression through reduction, alkylation, and digestion steps — one rack color per step. Next-generation sequencing library prep labs use these racks for the rapid-tube workflows preceding library quantification, where 80 individual library tubes per batch must be staged in an organized format compatible with the bench layout of the quantification instrument. Teaching labs find the assorted 5-color pack ideal for distributing color-coded experiment tube sets to student groups simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fraction-collector plate style rack?
A fraction-collector plate rack has the same 5-row by 16-column layout as the microcentrifuge tube tray used in automated HPLC and FPLC fraction collectors. This format allows chromatography fractions to be transferred from the collector to the rack without changing tube orientation or renumbering positions — fraction 1 in the collector occupies position A1 in the rack, fraction 16 occupies A16, and so on. Labs that do not use fraction collectors benefit from the compact, regular array for general tube organization.
Can this rack hold 0.5mL or 0.2mL PCR tubes?
The 11mm wells are designed for 1.5mL and 2.0mL standard-cap microcentrifuge tubes. Standard 0.5mL tubes have a narrower body that will sit in the well without being gripped securely. Standard 0.2mL PCR tubes are too narrow for the 11mm well and will not be retained. For 0.5mL and 0.2mL tubes, dedicated 96-well tube racks or PCR tube racks with appropriately sized wells are the correct format.
How do the embossed index numbers differ from labeled wells?
Embossed index numbers are three-dimensionally molded into the rack surface rather than printed, painted, or labeled onto it. This means they cannot fade, wash off, or peel during autoclaving, solvent wiping, or repeated use in aqueous environments. In contrast, racks with printed or labeled position numbers typically show wear in lab environments over time, making position reading unreliable for long-term documentation purposes. The frosted labeling area on the rack base provides a separate annotation zone that does not interfere with the permanent embossed well index.
Academic and Institutional Pricing
LabSupplies.com offers tiered quantity pricing for academic and research institutions. As an authorized dealer, we ship directly from USA inventory.