ASTM E890-94(2021)

Standard Specification for Disposable Glass Culture Tubes

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the requirements for disposable glass culture tubes for use in culturing applications. Disposable glass culture tubes shall be made of type I (borosilicate) or type II (soda-lime) glass. Tube design shall be of one-piece construction. Other requirements shall include top or open end finish requirement, bottom or closed end requirement, residual thermal stress requirement, workmanship, and tube dimensions.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for disposable glass tubes suitable for general testing and culturing applications in blood banks, hematology, bacteriology, virology, and tissue culture laboratories.  
1.2 For practical purposes, the word “disposable” according to this specification and expected product performance expressed in this specification describes those disposable glass culture tubes that are to be used one time only. Any institution or individual who reuses a disposable glass culture tube must bear full responsibility for its safety and effectiveness.  
1.3 For packaging standards, choose among the following: Specifications E920 or E921 or Practice E1133.  
1.4 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-Dec-2020
• ICS: 11.100 - Laboratory medicine
• Technical Committee: E41 - Laboratory Apparatus
• Drafting Committee: E41.01 - Laboratory Ware and Supplies

Relations

• Refers: ASTM E438-92(2024) - Standard Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM E920-97(2019) - Standard Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Refers: ASTM E438-92(2018) - Standard Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2018
• Refers: ASTM C148-14 - Standard Test Methods for Polariscopic Examination of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM E920-97(2013) - Standard Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM C148-12 - Standard Test Methods for Polariscopic Examination of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2012
• Refers: ASTM E438-92(2011) - Standard Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Refers: ASTM C148-00(2011) - Standard Test Methods for Polariscopic Examination of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Refers: ASTM E1133-86(2010) - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Laboratory Apparatus for United States Government Procurements
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2010
• Refers: ASTM E921-97(2010) - Standard Specification for Export Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 15-May-2010
• Refers: ASTM E671-98(2010) - Standard Specification for Maximum Permissible Thermal Residual Stress in Annealed Glass Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Refers: ASTM E920-97(2008) - Standard Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Refers: ASTM E438-92(2006) - Standard Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM C148-00(2006) - Standard Test Methods for Polariscopic Examination of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2006
• Refers: ASTM E1133-86(2005) - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Laboratory Apparatus for United States Government Procurements
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2005

Overview

ASTM E890-94(2021): Standard Specification for Disposable Glass Culture Tubes establishes requirements for single-use glass culture tubes used in laboratory settings. Developed by ASTM International, this standard guides manufacturers, laboratories, and procurement professionals in selecting and utilizing quality disposable glass tubes for various testing and culturing applications. The specification covers tube material, design, construction, dimensional limits, workmanship, and performance criteria to ensure consistent quality and safety.

Key Topics

• Material Requirements
  • Culture tubes must be made of either type I borosilicate glass or type II soda-lime glass, conforming to established quality and performance standards.
• Design and Construction
  • Tubes must be of one-piece construction for optimal integrity and uniformity.
  • The open end of each tube requires a smoothly fire-polished finish at a right angle to its horizontal axis.
  • The closed end must have a spherical radius and a specific wall thickness ratio for added strength.
• Thermal Stress Limitations
  • Residual thermal stress within the tube must not exceed specified limits to prevent cracking and ensure durability during laboratory procedures.
• Workmanship
  • Tubes must be transparent, clean, dry, and free from defects or foreign matter when inspected under normal lighting conditions.
• Dimensional Accuracy
  • External diameter, wall thickness, and overall length must meet precise tolerances to ensure compatibility with laboratory equipment and procedures.

Applications

ASTM E890-94(2021) applies to disposable glass culture tubes intended for use in:

• Blood Banks
  For secure containment of blood samples and reagents during testing and processing.
• Hematology
  Used in the analysis of blood cells and related diagnostic procedures.
• Bacteriology and Virology
  Suitable for culturing, isolating, and storing microbial and viral samples.
• Tissue Culture Laboratories
  Provides a sterile environment for the growth and propagation of animal or plant cells.
• General Laboratory Testing
  For any process requiring single-use containment of fluids, reagents, or biological samples.

By defining strict standards for materials, design, and workmanship, ASTM E890 ensures that disposable glass culture tubes offer reliability, sterility, and safety in critical laboratory applications.

Related Standards

Professionals working with disposable glass culture tubes should also reference the following ASTM standards:

• ASTM E438
  Specification for glasses used in laboratory apparatus, ensuring appropriate glass type and quality.
• ASTM E671
  Defines maximum permissible residual thermal stress in annealed glass equipment.
• ASTM E920 and ASTM E921
  Packaging specifications for laboratory apparatus, vital for maintaining sterility and preventing damage during transportation and storage.
• ASTM E1133
  Practice for performance testing of packaged laboratory equipment.

Practical Value

Adopting ASTM E890-94(2021) ensures laboratory glassware meets internationally recognized performance expectations and safety requirements. This reduces the risk of contamination, breakage, and testing errors associated with substandard tubes. By following this specification, laboratories and manufacturers uphold best practices, comply with regulatory requirements, and support successful laboratory operations.

Keywords: ASTM E890, disposable glass culture tubes, laboratory glassware, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, blood bank testing, hematology supplies, bacteriology equipment, tissue culture labs, 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: E890 −94 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Disposable Glass Culture Tubes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E890; 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 E921 Specification for Export Packaged Laboratory Appa-
ratus
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for dispos-
E1133 Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Labo-
able glass tubes suitable for general testing and culturing
ratory Apparatus for United States Government Procure-
applications in blood banks, hematology, bacteriology,
ments
virology, and tissue culture laboratories.
1.2 For practical purposes, the word “disposable” according
3. Materials
to this specification and expected product performance ex-
3.1 Thedisposableglassculturetubesshallbemadeofglass
pressed in this specification describes those disposable glass
in accordance with the requirements of Type I, Class A or B
culture tubes that are to be used one time only. Any institution
(borosilicate glass) or Type II (soda-lime glass) of Specifica-
or individual who reuses a disposable glass culture tube must
tion E438.
bear full responsibility for its safety and effectiveness.
1.3 For packaging standards, choose among the following:
4. Design
Specifications E920 or E921 or Practice E1133.
4.1 The tubes shall be of one-piece construction in accor-
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with Fig. 1 for shape, and any cross section of the tube,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
taken in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, shall
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
preferably be circular.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.2 The top or open end of the tube shall be smoothly
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
fire-polished at right angles to the horizontal axis of the tube.
4.3 Thebottomorclosedendofthetubeshallbecompletely
2. Referenced Documents
2 closed and shall have a spherical radius inside and outside in
2.1 ASTM Standards:
accordance with Fig. 1. The wall thickness in the bottom shall
C148 Test Methods for Polariscopic Examination of Glass
be at least 66 ⁄3 % of the side wall thickness, but not more than
Containers
210 % of the side wall thickness.
E438 Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
E671 Specification for Maximum Permissible Thermal Re-
4.4 Residual thermal stress shall not exceed 750 psi when
sidual Stress in Annealed Glass Laboratory Apparatus
determined in accordance with Specification E671.
E920 Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory
4.5 Workmanship—The glass tube shall be free of defects
Apparatus
that impair serviceability. The glass tube shall
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