Volumetric Flask
Introduction
A Volumetric Flask is a pear-shaped lab apparatus with a round flat bottom commonly used for dilutions and preparing standard solutions. In 1892, the world's first volumetric flask was invented by Dewar after his name, “Dewar Flask.”
The volumetric flask, also known as measuring flask or graduated flask, is lightweight, compact, and chemical resistant. The flask has ring graduation marking on its extended neck, which stipulates the liquid volume when filled up to the meniscus. The ridge of the flask has a PE Stopper to prevent spillage and maintain a required temperature for the chemicals.
Need of a Volumetric Flask
- Difficult to measure accurate volumes of liquid materials.
- Faults in mass measurements.
- Not feasible in preparing high precision drugs and medicines.
Classes of a Volumetric Flask
There are two classes in which a volumetric flask is manufactured - Class A and Class B.
The Class A volumetric flasks have the highest level of accuracy with tighter tolerance limits. They have a unique serial number for traceability. The graduation mark on the flask is accurately placed on the flask. The highest accuracy Class A volumetric flasks have a blue color print for clear glass and white for amber variants. The Class A flasks are individually calibrated with their certification.
The Class B volumetric flasks are used for general purpose and calibrated to a lower level of accuracy. The flasks under Class B have white print on them. Class B flasks lack calibration. These volumetric flasks are generally used in schools.
Standards under which the volumetric flask is manufactured
The volumetric flask is manufactured under three standards, namely :
- ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)
- ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
- USP (United Standard Pharmacopeia).
Glassco is the first-ever glassware manufacturing plant in India to produce all the three standards under one roof.
Types of Volumetric Flask:
Types: Four types of volumetric flasks meet the ASTM E228 Standards.
These are as follows :
- Individually Certified Flasks with a Glass Stopper.
- Batch Certified Flasks with a Glass Stopper.
- Batch Certified Flasks with a Snap Cap.
- Individually Certified Flasks with Amber Color Glass to protect light-sensitive solutions.
Sizes of Volumetric Flasks:
The volumetric flasks come in different sizes likewise 2 ml, 5 ml, 10 ml, 20 ml, 25 ml, 40 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml, 150 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml, 1000 ml, 2000 ml and 5000 ml. Glassco manufactures all sizes of flasks. The small volumetric flasks are used to prepare costly and precious drugs, whereas large volumetric flasks are used in pharmaceutical labs for preparing production batches.
- Accurate
- Hollow Design
- Imprints in 3 different variants - Blue, White, and Amber
- Meniscus Mark
- Reliable
- Available in both Plastic and Glass
- Batch Certificate
- Individual Certificate
- Chemical Resistant
- Compact
- Durable
Cleaning: Before using a volumetric flask, rinse it with the solvent, which is used to prepare the solution. After the completion of the experiment, empty the flask, and wash it with warm soapy water. Scrub it with a brush if required. Then rinse it under tap water 3-4 times. Dry the flask with a clean cotton cloth.
Storage: A volumetric flask should be stored in a dry place in a box to prevent dirt. It is preferred to keep them in a cupboard. Also, the volumetric flasks should be stored with their stoppers so that they are not lost. It is preferred not to store solutions in a volumetric flask as it may corrode and affect the flask’s accuracy.
Life: A volumetric flask made up of Borosilicate Glass can be used for up to 10 long years of constant use. It should be adequately taken care of, keeping in mind its storage and cleanliness.
- Keep the lab/room temperature at 20º C or close to it because the volumetric flasks are calibrated for use at this temperature.
- Thoroughly clean the volumetric flask before and after using it.
- Before using a volumetric flask, scrutinize it by checking cracks or scratches on the glass.
Each volumetric flask has its unique Individual Calibration Certificate stating the standard ratio of volumes in the flask. The stack of measuring flasks is identified by their Batch Calibration Certificate, signifying that the lot has been duly checked and suitable for sale.
Apart from this, the volumetric flask has a Calibration Certificate from NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories), which states the standard weights of the flask. The NABL logo contains a unique ULR (Unique Laboratory Report) number, which identifies the laboratory where the calibration process occurs.
- Glassco furnishes Class A volumetric flasks.
- The volumetric flask at Glassco comprises solid Borosilicate Glass 3.3, which is shock-free and chemical resistant.
- Glassco’ s volumetric flasks, when used with a flower power stopper, ensure no leakage.
- The flasks produced at Glassco come with an optional Bumper Guard to prevent breakage.
- The blue and amber color meniscus mark on Glassco’ s Flasks helps to read the solutions more clearly than the diamond cut meniscus.
- The prints on the glass pass acid boiling, scratch, and tape peel off tests.
- Glassco provides flasks with all kinds of mouth openings as per the customer requirement, which is customizable other than standards.
- The volumetric flasks at Glassco are of superfine Glass quality.
Glassco’ s Volumetric Flask is used for preparing high precision medicines which, at times, requires heating and shaking. DAN Logitech’s Incubator Shaker is the instrument best suited for Glassco’ s Volumetric Flask. It ensures a consistent and uniform mixing of liquids in flasks.
Glassco has introduced its QR Coded Volumetric Flask, which is very useful for the research and development department where calibration certificate is a winning thing. Glassco is the first laboratory equipment manufacturing company from India to pioneer the QR Coded Volumetric Flask worldwide.
The volumetric flask has a permanent QR Code which, when scanned, directs you to the web page of the product providing its certification along with the complete information about the flask. At the time of the audit, it often becomes difficult for a person to fetch each flask’s certificate. In that case, the QR Code on the volumetric flask makes it easy, simple, and handy to download the certificate and verify it. One can easily save and print the certificate.
The second version of the QR Coded Volumetric Flask was introduced by Glassco to make it LIMS compatible. Glassco has collaborated with the Caliber LIMS to make it more paperless laboratories using scannable glassware.