Bead beating can be carried out in a variety of vessels, including tubes, vials, and plates. OPS Diagnostics offers a complete line of grinding vials designed for efficient, reproducible sample homogenization across a wide range of applications.
Our grinding vials are self-standing with a reinforced flat bottom to reduce the risk of cracking during high-impact homogenization, ensuring durability and safety during processing.
Choosing the Right Grinding Vial:
Several factors should be considered when selecting a grinding vial for your sample processing needs:
- Vial Material:
Polycarbonate (PC) is the recommended material due to its superior durability, optical clarity, and impact resistance compared to polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). - Sample Characteristics:
Temperature-sensitive materials often require cryogenic grinding to prevent degradation. Ensure your chosen vial is rated for low-temperature applications. - Sample Volume:
Avoid overfilling or underfilling vials. Filling outside the recommended working volume can reduce homogenization efficiency and increase the risk of vial damage. - Homogenizer Compatibility:
Not all homogenizers support every vial size. Make sure your equipment can accommodate the vial format you're using.
For a detailed comparison of vial types, see the table below or visit our guide: Selecting Grinding Vials for Sample Homogenization
Disruption Tube | 4 ml Grinding Vial | 15 ml Grinding Vial | 50 ml Grinding Vial | |
Feature | ||||
Material | PP | PE PC |
PC | PC |
Dimensions (in) | 0.4 x 1.7 | 0.5 x 2 | 1.125 x 1.667 | 1.125 x 3.5 |
Bottom | Skirted or conical | Flat | Flat re-enforced | Flat re-enforced |
Working volume | 0.5-0.8 ml | 0.5- 2 ml | 2-8 ml | 9-16 ml |
Autoclavable | Yes | Yes (Both) | Yes | Yes |
Cryogenic Capability | Yes | Yes (Only PC) | Yes | Yes |
Grinding Media | Vary | 1 x 3/8" ball | 2 x 7/16" balls | 2 x 7/16" balls 2 x 9/16" balls |
Sample Capacity | ||||
Plant Tissue | up to 100 mg | 100-200 mg | Up to 1 gm | 1-3 gm |
Seeds | - | ≤ 500 mg (1 kernel) | ≤ 4 gm (≈10 kernels) | 4-8 gm (≈22 kernels) |
Animal Tissue | Up to 100 mg | 100-200 mg | Up to 2 gm | 2-4 gm |