ASTM E923-97(2019)

Standard Specification for Glass Westergren Tube, Reusable

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the design and dimensional requirements for reusable glass Westergren tubes that measure the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which is the suspension stability, or amount of settling after a specified time, of red blood cells in diluted, anti-coagulated human blood. The tubes shall be fabricated from Type I, Class B borosilicate glass, or Type II soda lime glass. Tubes shall comply with requirements for graduation line length and numbering, marking permanency, grinding bevel, and workmanship. The tubes should also pass a pigmentation and amber stain test.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification describes requirements for a tube that measures the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). ESR is the suspension stability of red cells in diluted, anti-coagulated human blood.  
1.1.1 The use of the term “rate” is, strictly speaking, not correct. The test measures the amount of settling of red cells after a specified time.  
1.2 The tubes are used together with a special rack to ensure they remain in a vertical position during the test.  
1.3 This specification includes many dimensional requirements that are, for the most part, in agreement with the British Standards Institution, German Standards Institute, International Committee for Standardization in Haematology, and the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards publications on Westergren tubes. The clinical procedure using the tube described in this specification is known as the “Westergren Method.”  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 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: 30-Jun-2019
• ICS: 11.100 - Laboratory medicine
• Technical Committee: E41 - Laboratory Apparatus
• Drafting Committee: E41.01 - Laboratory Ware and Supplies

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E923-97(2013) - Standard Specification for Glass Westergren Tube, Reusable
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• 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 E920-97(2013) - Standard Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM E1157-87(2011) - Standard Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable Laboratory Glassware
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Refers: ASTM E1157-87(2018)e1 - Standard Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable Laboratory Glassware
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Refers: ASTM E438-92(2011) - Standard Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-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 E920-97(2008) - Standard Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Refers: ASTM E1157-87(2006) - Standard Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable Laboratory Glassware
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM E438-92(2006) - Standard Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-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
• Refers: ASTM E1133-86(2000) - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Laboratory Apparatus for United States Government Procurements
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2000

Overview

ASTM E923-97(2019): Standard Specification for Glass Westergren Tube, Reusable is an internationally recognized standard developed by ASTM International. The specification outlines the design, material, and dimensional requirements for reusable glass Westergren tubes, which are essential laboratory devices used in the measurement of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). ESR serves as an important indicator of the suspension stability of red blood cells in diluted, anti-coagulated human blood. The standard ensures comparability of results and consistency in laboratory testing through strict specifications for material quality, graduation accuracy, and durability of tube markings.

Key Topics

• Material Quality: The standard allows for tubes to be made of either Type I, Class B borosilicate glass or Type II soda lime glass, both of which must comply with ASTM E438.
• Dimensional Requirements: Westergren tubes covered by this standard must be straight, thick-walled, of uniform bore, and of one-piece construction. Precise tolerances are specified for length, diameter, and graduation scale.
• Graduation and Marking: Detailed requirements address the scale of graduation (200 mm in length), numbering, permanency of markings, and line thickness. Marks must remain legible and durable even after repeated cleaning and use.
• Workmanship: Tubes must be free from visible defects that could affect appearance or performance and meet strict criteria for finish and clarity.
• Pigmentation and Amber Stain Test: To ensure the durability of the graduation and inscriptions, all tubes must pass a chromic acid test validating the permanence of the markings.
• Reuse Specification: This standard addresses only reusable tubes, distinguishing them from single-use or disposable alternatives.

Applications

• Clinical Laboratories: Westergren tubes that meet ASTM E923 are used worldwide in hematology labs for ESR determination, following the “Westergren Method.”
• Diagnostic Testing: Accurate ESR measurements help healthcare professionals detect and monitor inflammation, infection, and certain autoimmune diseases.
• Research: Laboratories and research institutions employ these standardized tubes to ensure reliable hematological data in studies involving blood sedimentation kinetics.

Compliance with ASTM E923 assures laboratories of the tube's suitability for repeated use, reliable graduation marking, and compatibility with standard ESR racks and methodology.

Related Standards

For comprehensive laboratory practice and compatibility, ASTM E923 references and aligns with several related standards:

• ASTM E438 – Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus (defining the required glass types)
• ASTM E920 – Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• ASTM E921 – Specification for Export Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• ASTM E1133 – Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• ASTM E1157 – Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable Laboratory Glassware

In addition, ASTM E923 is harmonized with standards published by the British Standards Institution, German Standards Institute, International Committee for Standardization in Haematology, and the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards, ensuring international acceptance and consistency.

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By adhering to ASTM E923-97(2019), manufacturers, laboratories, and quality assurance teams can ensure uniformity and reliability in ESR measurement using reusable glass Westergren tubes, supporting high standards in clinical diagnosis and research environments.

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: E923 −97 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Specification for
Glass Westergren Tube, Reusable
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E923; 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 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This specification describes requirements for a tube that
2.1 ASTM Standards:
measures the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). ESR is the
E438 Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
suspension stability of red cells in diluted, anti-coagulated
E920 Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory
human blood.
Apparatus
1.1.1 The use of the term “rate” is, strictly speaking, not
E921 Specification for Export Packaged Laboratory Appa-
correct. The test measures the amount of settling of red cells ratus
after a specified time.
E1133 Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Labo-
ratory Apparatus for United States Government Procure-
1.2 The tubes are used together with a special rack to ensure
ments
they remain in a vertical position during the test.
E1157 Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable
1.3 This specification includes many dimensional require-
Laboratory Glassware
ments that are, for the most part, in agreement with the British
Standards Institution, German Standards Institute, Interna-
3. Terminology
tional Committee for Standardization in Haematology, and the
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards publi-
3.1.1 reusable—capable of being used again.
cations on Westergren tubes. The clinical procedure using the
tube described in this specification is known as the “Wester-
3.1.2 tube—the word “tube” rather than “pipet” is used to
gren Method.”
describe this instrument. The word “pipet” should be reserved
for volume-measuring instruments thus designated. A tube
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
used for measurements of blood sedimentation rate is not a
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
volume measuring instrument. In this connection, misunder-
standard.
standing can occur when a Westergren “tube” is described as a
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
“pipet.”
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.1.3 Westergren—The surname of the individual respon-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- sible for the design of the Westergren tube and the method of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
4. Classification
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1 This specification covers a tube that is intended to be
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
used until it is no longer considered functional for the purpose
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
intended.The specification is specifically written for a reusable
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
item and is not to be confused with a disposable tube that is
described in other published standards.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E41 on
Laboratory Apparatus and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E41.01 on
Laboratory Ware and Supplies For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2019. Published August 2019. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approvedin1983.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2013asE923 – 97(2013).DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E0923-97R19. the ASTM website.
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E923 − 97 (2019)
5. Materials graduation lines starting with a numerical zero (0) and down-
ward to a maximum value of 190 mm.The numerical markings
5.1 The tubes made to this specification shall be fabricated
shall appear at the right side of the graduated scale when held
from borosilicate glass, Type I, Class B; or soda lime glass,
vertically with the scale facing the viewer.
Type II, in accordance with Specification E438.
6.5 Length of Graduation Lines—The top graduation line
6. Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations
and every other tenth- or twentieth-numbered line shall
encircle, or near encircle the tube or be a minimum of 6 mm
6.1 Design—The Westergren tube shall be made
...