In a science laboratory, so many things are used that are made particularly for serving a specific purpose. A test tube rack is also such a king of things that is only made to hold test tubes. A test tube rack is used for holding several test tubes upright in a laboratory. They are used when you work with different solutions and samples at the same time. The racks help create a clean workspace and allow the test tubes to be cleaned and sanitized easily. They range from PCR racks, reversible racks, and freezer boxes to vial storage boxes and flippers having different functionalities.
Many people doubt that a test tube rack and a test tube holder are the same things, but there are not. The racks are used to hold multiple test tubes at the same time during some experiment or demonstration. They can come in multiple colors and sizes. In contrast, a test tube holder is designed to hold one test tube at a particular time especially when a test is being done. It is often used when you're unable to touch or hold a test tube, for instance, when you want to heat it. A holder is also used to pour samples from a test tube in case the solution is unstable.
Types of Test Tube Racks:
Based on materials, there are five types of racks.
1. Wooden racks
2. Steel racks
3. Plastic racks
4. Aluminum
5. Foam racks
Wooden racks are mostly vintage ones, and they are difficult to clean or sanitized. The best racks are the ones made of stainless steel as they are easy to clean and sanitize and are not subject to rust. Test tube racks used for Covid 19 vials were also made of stainless steel.
Based on uses, there are five types of racks. They are listed below:
- Stackable racks: These are mostly plastic racks made of polypropylene which can be stacked one over the other without putting much pressure on the test tubes. They can also be stacked with the use of an additional frame.
- Drying racks: As the name suggests, these racks are made for drying test tubes keeping them inverted. These racks not only help in the drying of the test tubes but also keep them safe from any kind of contamination through the air.
- Freezing boxes: These racks are used to hold test tubes in freezers or at places with an ultra-low temperature.
- Slanting racks: The holes in these racks are angled to a certain degree. These racks hold the test tubes in a slanting position after some sample has been poured into them. They are used when you need to keep some samples to a certain degree or to examine the consistency of the tubes.
- Vial racks: These are simple plastic racks to hold small vials containing samples.
Uses of test tube racks:
Test tube racks are very important in a laboratory to not only store the tubes but also for transportation and sanitization. Here are some important uses of the racks.
- Some test tube racks come with a rounded bottom which helps in easy cleaning if there is some spill from a test tube. They also help in proper sanitization and storage.
- The racks, except for slant racks, prevent the test tubes from tilting and spilling their contents. This keeps laboratories clean and the equipment safe from any hazardous chemicals stored in the test tube.
- Foam racks are specially made for transporting test tubes. They help in the easy transportation of volatile chemicals for long distances without breaking or spilling the samples.
- Freezer boxes help in the proper storage of chemicals in low temperatures without the test tubes responding to the cold and reacting with the chemicals stored inside.
- Steel wire racks are lightweight and resistant to high temperatures. They are strong, easy to clean and sanitize, and are not subjected to rust or any other issues. You can also see the chemical stored in a test tube in a steel wire rack.
Conclusion:
Test tube racks arrive in several varieties for specific purposes, and you can buy them according to your purpose. Also, the professionals are there to help you out on which rack fits your purpose.