ASTM E1044-96(2024)

Standard Specification for Glass Serological Pipets (General Purpose and Kahn)

ABSTRACT
This specification covers reusable glass serological pipets used for measuring volumes of liquid. The pipets may be classified into three styles according to operational set-up and should be made with approved glass materials. Each pipet should be straight, of one-piece construction, and properly calibrated. All products should conform to the required dimension of delivery tips, zero gradation line position, dimensions and outflow times, graduation markings, color coding, identification markings, and workmanship.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers glass serological pipets, used in measuring volumes of liquids.  
1.2 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2024
• ICS: 11.100 - Laboratory medicine
• Technical Committee: E41 - Laboratory Apparatus
• Drafting Committee: E41.01 - Laboratory Ware and Supplies

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1044-96(2018) - Standard Specification for Glass Serological Pipets (General Purpose and Kahn)
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM E694-18(2024) - Standard Specification for Laboratory Glass Volumetric Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM E438-92(2024) - Standard Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM E694-18 - Standard Specification for Laboratory Glass Volumetric Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2018
• Refers: ASTM E438-92(2018) - Standard Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2018
• Referred By: ASTM E50-17 - Standard Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Considerations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Referred By: ASTM D3606-22 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Benzene and Toluene in Spark Ignition Fuels by Gas Chromatography
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024

Overview

ASTM E1044-96(2024), Standard Specification for Glass Serological Pipets (General Purpose and Kahn), is an international standard developed by ASTM International for reusable glass serological pipets. These pipets are essential tools for accurately measuring and transferring liquid volumes across various laboratory and clinical settings. The standard specifies requirements for physical properties, calibration, dimensions, markings, and quality, providing a reliable benchmark for manufacturers and users to ensure consistency, safety, and performance.

This specification applies to both general-purpose and Kahn-style glass serological pipets, categorizing them by capacity and style, and laying out detailed requirements for their construction and markings. Compliance with this standard ensures interoperability in laboratory processes and supports global trade by adhering to internationally recognized standardization principles.

Key Topics

• Material Requirements: Pipets must be made from borosilicate glass that meets Type 1, Class A or B per ASTM E438, promoting chemical resistance, durability, and transparency.
• Design and Construction: Glass serological pipets must be straight, of one-piece construction, and have round cross-sections for reliable liquid measurement. Styles include:
  • Style I: General purpose top end.
  • Style II: Cotton plug top end.
  • Style III: Cotton plug top end with large tip opening.
• Capacity Range: Standard pipet capacities include 0.1 mL, 0.2 mL, 0.25 mL, 0.5 mL, 0.6 mL, 1.0 mL, 2.0 mL, 5.0 mL, 10.0 mL, and 25.0 mL, with precise graduation markings for each.
• Calibration: Pipets are calibrated to deliver specified volumes with distilled water at 20°C, and, except for the 0.25 mL Kahn pipet, the last drop must be blown out.
• Markings and Identification: All pipets require permanent graduation lines, color coding for easy identification, capacity and calibration temperature marking, manufacturer’s identification, and delivery instructions (e.g., TD, EX).
• Performance Standards: Requirements for dimensional tolerances, outflow times, and residual thermal stress ensure safe, precise, and repeatable pipet performance.

Applications

• Clinical Laboratories: Glass serological pipets are widely used in serological testing, blood analysis, and preparation of reagents or solutions, where precise liquid measurement is critical.
• Research and Academic Laboratories: Vital in chemical and biological research for the accurate transfer of liquids in quantitative and qualitative experiments.
• Industrial Laboratories: Utilized in process control, quality assurance, and product development settings where robust, reusable glassware is required.
• Public Health and Environmental Labs: Used for sample preparation, dilutions, or chemical analyses where strict adherence to measurement accuracy is essential.

Adhering to ASTM E1044-96(2024) ensures glass serological pipets meet rigorous criteria, supporting traceable results, laboratory safety, and compliance with quality management systems.

Related Standards

• ASTM E438: Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus (material requirements)
• ASTM E542: Practice for Gravimetric Calibration of Laboratory Volumetric Instruments
• ASTM E671: Specification for Maximum Permissible Thermal Residual Stress in Annealed Glass Laboratory Apparatus
• ASTM E694: Specification for Laboratory Glass Volumetric Apparatus (graduation marking requirements)
• ASTM E920 / E921: Packaging specifications for laboratory apparatus
• ASTM E1133: Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• ASTM E1157: Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable Laboratory Glassware

By referencing ASTM E1044-96(2024) and related standards, laboratories, manufacturers, and procurement professionals ensure they are using high-quality, standardized glass serological pipets designed for accuracy, safety, and worldwide compatibility.

Keywords: glass serological pipets, ASTM E1044, laboratory glassware, volumetric measurement, reusable pipets, Kahn pipets, pipet calibration, laboratory standards

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1044 − 96 (Reapproved 2024)
Standard Specification for
Glass Serological Pipets (General Purpose and Kahn)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1044; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.3 Style III—Cotton plugging top end, large tip opening.
3.1.4 Capacities (mL)—0.1; 0.1 (Kahn); 0.2; 0.2 (Kahn);
1.1 This specification covers glass serological pipets, used
0.25 (Kahn); 0.5; 0.60 (Kahn); 1.0; 2.0; 5.0; 10.0; and 25.0.
in measuring volumes of liquids.
1.2 This international standard was developed in accor-
4. General Requirements
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1 Borosilicate Glass—Borosilicate glass for pipets shall
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
conform to the glass requirements of Type 1, Class A or B of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Specification E438.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.2 Calibration—Pipets shall be calibrated in accordance
2. Referenced Documents with Practice E542 to deliver (TD) the intended capacity of
distilled water at 20 °C when the last drop is blown out, except
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the 0.25 mL Kahn pipet; this Kahn pipet shall have a clear
E438 Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
ungraduated space of not less than 63 mm between the
E542 Practice for Gravimetric Calibration of Laboratory
lowermost graduation mark and the tip of the pipet. The pipet
Volumetric Instruments
shall be filled about 10 mm above the capacity line. Remove
E671 Specification for Maximum Permissible Thermal Re-
any water on the outside of the tip by a downward wipe with
sidual Stress in Annealed Glass Laboratory Apparatus
filter paper. Next, place the tip in contact with the wetted wall
E694 Specification for Laboratory Glass Volumetric Appa-
of a beaker and slowly lower the meniscus to the capacity line.
ratus
Do not remove any water remaining on the tip at this time.
E920 Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory
Delivery of the contents into a receiving vessel is made with
Apparatus
the tip in contact with the wall of the vessel. When the water
E921 Specification for Export Packaged Laboratory Appa-
has ceased to flow, the water remaining in the tip is then blown
ratus
out with one firm puff with the tip in contact with the wall of
E1133 Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Labo-
the vessel, if possible. No after-drainage period is allowed.
ratory Apparatus for United States Government Procure-
Capacity tolerances shall be within the limits given in Table 1.
ments
E1157 Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable
4.3 Annealing—The maximum residual thermal stress shall
Laboratory Glassware
be such as to conform to Specification E671, except that
tempered tips or tempered tops, or both, may be supplied at the
3. Classification
option of the manufacturer. The tempered tip, when examined
3.1 Style and Capacity—Pipets covered by this specification
in index oil that matches the refractive index of the glass being
shall be of the following styles and capacities:
used, shall have a temper between 75 nm and 220 nm.
3.1.1 Style I—General purpose top end.
3.1.2 Style II—Cotton plugging top end.
5. Design
5.1 Shape—The pipets shall be straight and of one-piece
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E41 on
construction. Any cross section of a pipet taken in a plane
Laboratory Apparatus and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E41.01 on
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis shall be circular.
Laboratory Ware and Supplies.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2024. Published February 2024. Originally
5.2 Delivery Tips—Delivery tips shall be made with a
approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as E1044 – 96 (2018).
DOI: 10.1520/E1044-96R24.
gradual taper of 15 mm to 30 mm for capacities up to 5 mL
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
inclusive, and 20 mm to 35 mm for 10 mL and 25 mL capacity
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
pipets. The end of the tip shall be perpendicular to the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. longitudinal axis of the pipet. Sudden constriction at the orifice
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1044 − 96 (2024)
TABLE 1 Requirements for Glass Serological Pipets
Capacity Graduations, mL Outside
Style I and I
...