Test Tube Information

Breckland stocks three of the most reliable brands of test tubes available , as follows:

Kimble - A brand of DWK Life Sciences, one of the world's leading manufacturers of premium lab glassware.

PYREX - The premium brand of DWK Life Sciences.

Samco - A premium brand of S Murray & Company, still a UK family owned company after more than 100 years in business

Glass types:

Soda Glass - this has traditionally been used for bottles and general lab glassware. It is a more economical option but it is not suitable for direct heating with a Bunsen burner etc.

Neutral Borosilicate - more economical than borosilicate, this has a high chemical resistance and is suitable for use with strong acids & alkalis. It can withstand moderate heating, but it is best to avoid sudden temperature changes e.g. by placing a cold test tube directly into a hot Bunsen flame - gradually heat at first before concentrated heating.

Borosilicate Glass - This is the most suitable glass type to use when heating in a direct Bunsen Flame. It is the most heat and thermal shock resistant of the standard glass types and is highly resistant to strong chemicals such as acids and alkalis.

Ignition Tube, Test Tube or Boiling Tube

Ignition Tube, Test Tube and Boiling Tube are terms loosely applied to different sizes of test tube.

Ignition Tubes - The very small borosilicate tubes e.g. 75 x 10mm which are often used for intensive heating of samples. They are sometimes discarded after use, due to the difficulty of cleaning or because of damage to the glass. 

Test Tubes - The medium sized tubes used for many applications, which are typically 125 x 16mm or 150 x 16mm

Boiling Tubes - The larger sized tubes often used for heating solutions etc., which are typically 150 x 24mm.