Worldwide Glass Resources, Inc. - Closures, Cap Materials

Technical Information: Cap Materials : Closures

Closures

Closure refers to the assembled combination of a cap and septa.  At this time, Worldwide Glass Resources offers only assembled closures; separate caps or septa are not available.

Worldwide Glass offers closures in the following cap materials:

  • Aluminum
  • Magnetic closures are made of steel and are used in autosamplers with a magnetic arm.
  • Phenolic is a type of thermosetting plastic material known for its physical and molding properties. Phenolic caps have strength and durability with heat-resistant and insulating properties.  Excellent resistance to chemical corrosion and low moisture absorption.  Autoclaveable.
  • Polypropylene (PP) is a rigid plastic that is translucent or may be tinted to provide colored material.  At room temperature, polypropylene exhibits excellent chemical resistance to acids, alcohols, and bases.  Compatible with acetone, ethyl acetate, methanol, isobutyl alcohol, methanol, methylene chloride, and methyl ethyl ketone.  Incompatible with cyclohexane, ethers, dichlorobenzene, pentanes, and trichlorobenzene.  Gas, disinfectants or autoclave are recommended to sterilize products made of polypropylene.  Maximum  temperature use is 135°C.
  • Polyethylene (PE), further classified as low-density, is a flexible translucent plastic.  At room temperature, polyethylene exhibits excellent chemical resistance to acids, alcohol, and bases.  Gas, radiation or disinfectants are recommended to sterilize polyethylene.  Maximum temperature use 120°C.

Plastic Resin Codes

Plastic Resin Codes

Abbreviation

Chemical Designation

Temp °C (Max)

Temp °C (Min)

Specific Gravity (g/cm3)

Transparency

Flexibility

Autoclavable

Microwavable

Dry Heat

Gas

Gamma

Disinfectants

LDPE

Low Density Polyethylene

100

40

0.92

Translucent

Good

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

HDPE

High Density Polyethylene

120

100

0.95

Translucent

Rigid

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

PP

Polypropylene

135

0

0.90

Translucent

Rigid

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

Yes

PTFE

Polytetrafluoroethylene

250

-267

2.1-2.2

Opaque

Good

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

PS

Polystyrene

90

-10

1.05

Clear

Rigid

No

No

No

No

Yes

No

Sterilization Reference Guide

Sterilization Reference Guide

Method

Procedure

Autoclave:

Cycle is 121°C, 15 psig (1 bar) 20 min

Dry Heat:

170°C for 60 min

Gas:

Ethylene Oxide for formaldehyde

Microwave:

Transmission of microwaves

Gamma Irradiation:

High energy ionizing gamma radiation from a Cobolt 60 source

Chemical Disinfectants:

Quaternay Ammonim Compounds, Iodophors, Formalin, Benzalkonium Chloride, Ethanol, etc.