
( Brand: Kimble ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: 73802-13425 ), ( Part Type: Screw Liner Cap )
The **Kimble 73802-13425 Screw Thread Closures with PTFE Liner Caps** represent a premium solution for laboratories and scientific applications requiring reliable, leak-proof sealing for glassware, vials, and other containers. Engineered with precision, these caps feature a robust **screw-thread design** that ensures a secure, tight fit while minimizing the risk of contamination or spillage critical for experiments involving volatile or hazardous substances. The **PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) liner** embedded within the cap s sealing surface provides an inert, non-reactive barrier that resists chemical corrosion, high temperatures, and abrasion, making it ideal for handling aggressive solvents, acids, bases, and organic compounds. This liner also enhances the cap s durability, extending its lifespan across repeated sterilizations and autoclaving cycles, which is essential for high-throughput laboratories. The caps are manufactured from **high-quality glass-compatible materials**, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of laboratory glassware, including borosilicate and soda-lime glass, without compromising structural integrity. Their **smooth, consistent threading** allows for effortless installation and removal, reducing the risk of cross-contamination or damage to delicate glassware. Whether used in analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical research, or microbiology, these caps deliver a balance of **sealing efficiency, chemical resistance, and ease of use**, making them a trusted choice for maintaining sample integrity and operational safety in demanding environments. Packaged in a convenient **set of 144**, they offer cost-effective scalability for laboratories with high-volume needs, ensuring consistent performance across large batches of experiments.
**Pros and Cons of Buying Kimble 73802-13425 Screw Thread Closures with PTFE Liner (Pack of 144)**
### **Pros:**1. **Chemical Resistance** The PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) liner provides excellent resistance to a wide range of chemicals, acids, and solvents, making these caps ideal for laboratory and industrial applications where contamination must be minimized.
2. **Seal Integrity** PTFE liners offer a reliable, low-friction seal that prevents leaks, ensuring sample integrity in storage or transport. This is particularly useful for volatile or hazardous substances.
3. **Reusability** Unlike disposable caps, these can often be reused multiple times, reducing waste and saving costs over time, especially in high-volume laboratories or production environments.
4. **Compatibility with Glassware** Designed for screw-thread glass containers (e.g., vials, bottles, or beakers), these caps provide a secure fit without damaging the glass surface.
5. **Temperature Stability** PTFE maintains its properties across a broad temperature range, making these caps suitable for both cold and heated applications.
6. **Low Extractables** PTFE is known for its low extractable content, reducing the risk of chemical leaching into stored samples, which is critical in analytical and pharmaceutical applications.
7. **Durability** The metal screw thread construction ensures long-term durability, even with frequent use, while the PTFE liner resists wear and tear.
8. **Versatility** These caps can be used with a variety of glass containers, making them a flexible addition to any lab or industrial setup.
9. **Regulatory Compliance** Many PTFE-lined caps meet industry standards for cleanliness and chemical resistance, which is important for compliance in pharmaceutical, biotech, and food-grade applications.
10. **Easy Installation/Removal** The screw-thread design allows for straightforward application and removal without tools, improving workflow efficiency.
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### **Cons:**1. **Cost** Compared to standard rubber or plastic caps, PTFE-lined screw caps are more expensive, which may be a barrier for budget-conscious buyers or small-scale operations.
2. **Limited Temperature Range for PTFE** While PTFE is stable over a wide range, extreme high temperatures (above 260 C) can degrade the liner, limiting their use in very high-temperature applications.
3. **Potential for PTFE Wear** Over prolonged or repeated use, the PTFE liner may wear down, especially if the caps are mishandled or used with rough surfaces, reducing their effectiveness.
4. **Not Ideal for All Chemicals** While PTFE resists most chemicals, some highly polar solvents (e.g., strong oxidizers like concentrated sulfuric acid or hydrofluoric acid) may still pose risks, though this is rare.
5. **Weight** The metal construction makes these caps heavier than plastic alternatives, which could be a consideration for automated systems or high-throughput applications where weight matters.
6. **Potential for Thread Damage** If the glassware has damaged or uneven threads, the caps may not seal properly, leading to leaks or contamination.
7. **Limited Color Options** Unlike some plastic caps, PTFE-lined metal caps are typically available in limited colors (often silver or natural), which may not be ideal for color-coded labeling systems.
8. **Not Biodegradable** Since these caps are metal and PTFE-based, they are not environmentally friendly in terms of disposal, though they are reusable.
9. **Potential for Cross-Contamination** If not cleaned properly between uses, residues from previous samples could transfer to new contents, though this is mitigated by the PTFE s inert properties.
10. **Specialized Storage Requirements** To maintain their integrity, these caps should be stored in a dry environment away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, which may require additional organizational effort.
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### **Conclusion:**Kimble 73802-13425 screw thread closures with PTFE liners are a high-quality, chemically resistant solution for laboratories, pharmaceutical facilities, and industrial settings where sample integrity and contamination control are critical. Their durability, reusability, and broad chemical compatibility make them a worthwhile investment for applications requiring reliable sealing. However, their higher cost and potential limitations in extreme conditions or with certain chemicals must be weighed against the benefits.
For most professional users particularly those working with sensitive samples, hazardous materials, or in regulated industries the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks. If budget is a concern, it may be worth evaluating whether a lower-cost alternative (e.g., rubber-lined caps) could suffice for less demanding applications.
### **Recommendation:** **Buy these caps if:**- You work in a laboratory, pharmaceutical, or chemical industry where chemical resistance and sample purity are non-negotiable.
- You require reusable, leak-proof sealing for glass containers.
- Your applications involve a wide range of solvents, acids, or volatile substances.
- Long-term cost savings from reusability justify the initial investment.
**Avoid or consider alternatives if:**- Your budget is extremely limited, and you can use cheaper, disposable caps for non-critical applications.
- You frequently handle samples at very high temperatures (above 260 C), where PTFE may degrade.
- Your workflow involves automated systems where weight could be a factor, and lighter caps would be preferable.
- You primarily work with non-hazardous or low-risk substances where basic rubber or plastic caps would suffice.
Features: Genuine Kimble laboratory closures.: These high-quality laboratory screw thread closures from Kimble are designed for secure sealing of vials and bottles. Provides a tight and reliable seal. Manufactured in the USA.
Durable black screw thread caps. Suitable for laboratory vials and sample containers. Color: Black. Title: Kimble 73802-13425 Screw Thread Closures w/ PTFE Liner Black Caps Pack of 144.
Type: Screw Thread Closure. Ideal for laboratories, research facilities, pharmaceutical environments, and sample storage. PTFE liner for superior chemical resistance. Each cap includes a PTFE liner, providing excellent chemical resistance and reliable sealing for laboratory analytical applications.
Quantity: 144 caps per pack. Specifications: Brand: Kimble. Country of Manufacture: USA. Part Number: 73802-13425.