Centrifuge Tube, Self Standing Bottom, Plastic

Quick Answer: The Centrifuge Tube, Self Standing Bottom, Plastic is a conical centrifuge tube with a moulded skirt around its base, so it stands upright on a flat surface without a rack. A self standing centrifuge tube combines the pellet-forming cone of a standard tube with a stable footprint for filling, pipetting and field sample collection.

A Conical Tube That Stands on Its Own

Standard conical tubes need a rack, which is no problem at a prepared bench but awkward in the field, at a collection point, or when one tube is being filled while both hands are busy. The skirted base extends below the cone as a ring of plastic, so the tube sits steadily on a bench, a balance pan or a clipboard while it is filled and capped.

Inside, the tube is still conical, so spun material collects at the tip just as it would in a conical bottom tube. The skirt does add material around the tip, however, and some centrifuge buckets and adaptors are shaped for plain cones. Before buying for an existing centrifuge, make sure its adaptors accept skirted tubes, especially in the 50 ml size, where skirted designs are most common.

Tubes of this design are popular for collecting water, soil and food samples, for weighing solids directly into the tube, and for keeping samples upright on cold-room shelves. Graduations and a writing patch are common on plastic tubes of this type. The volume, plastic and speed rating of this listing are not stated in the title.

Applications

• Field collection of water, soil and plant samples
• Weighing powders or tissue directly into the tube on a balance
• Collecting urine or other clinical specimens where racks are not at hand
• Upright storage of samples on shelves and in cold rooms

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Confirm that centrifuge adaptors accept the skirted base before the first spin
• Balance tubes in opposite positions with equal volumes
• Hold wet tubes by the body below the cap rather than by the skirt
• Write on the label patch before filling, while the tube is dry

Why Choose LabEquip

Environmental, food and agricultural testing labs, clinical collection points and research teams working away from the bench are the main buyers of self-standing tubes. LabEquip lists them in Biology Lab Products, alongside the round bottom plastic tube; ask about sizes through our contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the advantage of a self standing bottom?

The tube stands upright on its own, so it can be filled, weighed or capped without a rack. This helps in the field, at collection points and on crowded benches.

Does the skirt affect the pellet?

No. The inside of the tube is still conical, so the pellet collects at the tip as in a standard conical tube. The skirt is on the outside and only changes how the tube stands and fits adaptors.

Will self standing tubes fit my centrifuge?

Many centrifuges accept them, but adaptors shaped closely around a plain cone may not take the skirt. Try one tube in the adaptor before a full run, or use adaptors made for skirted tubes.

Can I weigh samples directly into the tube?

Yes. Put the empty capped tube on the balance, tare it, and add the sample. The flat base keeps the tube steady on the pan, which is difficult with a pointed tube.

Are self standing tubes autoclavable?

Polypropylene tubes are generally autoclavable at 121 °C with the caps loosened. Check the tube’s rating first, and stand the tubes in a tray so they stay upright while they cool.

Can these tubes be frozen?

Polypropylene tubes are widely used for frozen storage. Leave headspace for expansion, freeze the tubes upright, and let them thaw standing on the bench before opening so condensation does not run into the cap.

Last Updated: September 2026