Heathrow Scientific 81-Well Microtube Storage Box - 120034 Series | Autoclavable to -80°C

Disorganized microtube storage wastes bench time and invites sample mix-ups during high-throughput workflows. The Heathrow Scientific 81-Well Microtube Storage Box keeps 1.5 mL and 2.0 mL microcentrifuge tubes and cryogenic vials organized in a compact 9 × 9 grid with alphanumeric coordinates for fast, positive identification. Molded from vibrant polypropylene with a secure friction-fit lid, each box is rated for temperatures as low as −80 °C and withstands autoclave sterilization—making it equally useful in a cryogenic freezer, a water bath, or on a busy benchtop. Sold in packs of 5 and available in eight color options, these boxes support lab-wide color-coding systems that let teams distinguish sample sets, projects, or users at a glance.

Features and Benefits

• 81-Well Capacity (9 × 9 Grid): Stores up to 81 microcentrifuge tubes (1.5 mL or 2.0 mL) or standard cryogenic vials in a single compact footprint, maximizing freezer and shelf space.

• Polypropylene Construction: Chemical-resistant polypropylene withstands common lab solvents, dilute acids, and bases without cracking or discoloring over repeated use.

• Cryogenic-Rated to −80 °C: Safely stores samples in ultra-low temperature freezers, mechanical freezers, and dry-ice containers without embrittlement.

• Autoclavable: Withstands standard autoclave cycles (121 °C / 250 °F) for reliable decontamination between uses in BSL-2 and BSL-3 environments.

• Friction-Fit Lid with Alphanumeric Grid: Snap-on lid secures tubes during transport, and molded row/column coordinates enable quick cross-referencing with lab notebooks and LIMS databases.

• Color-Coded Organization: Available in Natural, Blue, Green, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Black, and a 5-color Assorted pack—ideal for distinguishing projects, researchers, or sample types across shared storage.

• Stackable Design: Flat lid and uniform footprint allow boxes to stack securely in freezers, reducing wasted vertical space.

• Wave-Pattern Tube Capacity Indicator: Tube capacity (81) is molded into the exterior of the box within a distinctive wave design, enabling instant visual identification without opening the lid.

Specifications

Laboratory Applications

• Long-term cryogenic storage of microcentrifuge tubes and cryovials in −80 °C ultra-low temperature freezers and mechanical chest freezers

• Benchtop organization during PCR setup, sample aliquoting, and multi-sample preparation workflows where rapid tube identification is critical

• Color-coded biobanking systems that segregate patient cohorts, study arms, or time-point collections across shared freezer inventories

• Teaching and instructional laboratories where students share freezer space and need a simple visual system to locate their own samples

• Water-bath incubation of microcentrifuge tubes—the polypropylene body and friction-fit lid keep tubes upright and protected from splash contamination

Frequently Asked Questions

What size tubes fit the Heathrow 81-Well Storage Box?
The 12.3 mm well diameter accommodates standard 1.5 mL and 2.0 mL microcentrifuge tubes as well as most screw-cap and snap-cap cryogenic vials with an outer diameter up to approximately 12 mm.

Is this box safe for −80 °C freezer storage?
Yes. The polypropylene body is rated to −80 °C and will not crack or become brittle under ultra-low temperature cycling. It is not recommended for liquid-nitrogen immersion (−196 °C).

Can the 81-Well Storage Box be autoclaved?
Yes. Polypropylene withstands standard gravity and liquid autoclave cycles at 121 °C (250 °F) for up to 20 minutes. Allow the box to cool to room temperature before returning it to a freezer to prevent thermal shock to stored samples.

Will this box fit inside standard freezer racks?
The outer footprint is 5.1 × 5.1 inches (13 × 13 cm). It is compatible with most upright and chest freezer racks designed for 5-inch (130 mm) or larger cryoboxes.

What does the Assorted pack include?
The Assorted option (SKU 120040) ships one box each in Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Pink—five distinct colors in a single pack of 5.

Quality Assurance

Heathrow Scientific products are designed and tested to meet the rigorous demands of clinical, research, and educational laboratories worldwide. Each product undergoes quality inspection to ensure consistent performance, dimensional accuracy, and material integrity across every production lot.

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.