What Is a Measuring Cylinder?

What Is a Measuring Cylinder?
4 min read

A measuring cylinder is a piece of laboratory equipment used to measure the volume of liquids and chemicals. It has graduated markings along its length, allowing users to read the book of the measured fluid.

These cylinders are made of different materials, including glass and plastic. They are versatile tools that can be used in various lab applications.

Glass Cylinders

Glass cylinders are a classic decorative element popular in weddings, quinceaneras, debutante balls, and showers. The traditional cylinder shape is versatile and can accommodate any floral arrangement.

The manufacturing process of cylinder glass begins with blowing molten glass into a hollow globe. Then the glass is drawn over a line of support rollers by a drawing machine until it reaches the correct diameter and thickness.

Once the glass has reached its desired shape, it is cut along its length and reheated. This is called the annealing process.

There are many different methods for making cylinder glass, including the press and blow processes and the Vello and Danner processes. The molten glass is then transferred to the forehearth, which raises its temperature to around 1500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Plastic Cylinders

A plastic measuring cylinder, or a mixing cylinder, is a classic piece of laboratory equipment used to measure the volume of liquids. These cylinders are marked with lines that represent the liquid level in milliliters.

These cylinders are available in various sizes, including 10ml, 25ml, 50ml, and 100ml. They are made of polypropylene and have high chemical resistance.

They are not recommended for use with concentrated acids, bases, or solid organic solvents.

Cylinders are available in clear or colored resins to match your laboratory’s color scheme. These durable cylinders are designed to withstand a wide variety of lab environments.

These cylinders are molded as one piece in polypropylene and have raised prominent graduations for easy reading and excellent contact clarity. They are autoclavable and have a broad round base for good stability. They are designed for sterile, accurate dispensing of culture media and other biological fluids. They come with a polyethylene dust cover.

Types of Cylinders

Cylinders are used for a wide range of applications and industries. Usually made of glass, they come in different shapes and sizes. Some feature a mouth on one side to help with dumping, and others have wide bases for stability.

The surface of the cylinder wall is often engraved with scales in ml. This allows for precise measurements when pouring or dispensing.

Graduated cylinders are a standard laboratory tool for measuring liquid volumes. They are primarily manufactured from quartz or borosilicate glass, which has excellent heat and chemical resistance.

Some cylinders are specially designed for particular applications, like a double-acting cylinder with a piston that can be extended or narrowed without interfering with other parts and mechanisms. This type of cylinder is usually found in ship motors, industrial furnaces, digging machines, and lift shafts. The sealing material is often selected for a specific application, as well. This may include using Viton seals for high-temperature operations or polyurethane seals for cold-weather operations.

Applications

Measuring cylinders are used in various laboratories and kitchens for multiple purposes. They are typically glass or plastic containers with a set of graduations running up the side to represent the measured volume of liquid.

These cylinders are commonly used in chemistry labs because they are easy to use and accurate. They are also available in various sizes and capacities, making them ideal for multiple experiments.

Typical materials for measuring cylinders include glass and transparent plastic. Cylinders made of glass are chemically inert, while plastic ones have a high tolerance for heat and chemicals.

Both cylinders have two measurement scales, total contained (TC) and total delivered (TD). The former indicates that the markings are set for the liquids inside the cylinder; the latter accounts for traces that may remain after the fluid is removed.

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Waleed Asif 40
Joined: 1 year ago
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