Polypropylene Copolymer (PPCO) Labware

PPCO easily withstands exposure to nearly all chemicals at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Strong oxidizing agents eventually cause embrittlement. PPCO can be damaged by long exposure to UV light.

Due to its protective elastic properties, resilience to impact, and low cost, labware made from PPCO is an excellent alternative to borosilicate glassware which is more likely to shatter and cause personal injury or loss of research materials. PPCO labware plays an important role in lab safety programs and is growing in worldwide  use.

Polypropylene copolymer is used to make a huge variety of Nalgene labware including bottles, beakers, graduated cylinders, Erlenmeyer flasks, centrifuge tubes, and many other items where autoclavability and long-term chemical compatibility are key requirements. You’ll find a wide variety of Nalgene PPCO bottles to choose from. Use the Nalgene Bottle and Carboy Selection Guide to quickly find the bottle shape, size, and packaging configuration you’re looking for.

The following table contains general use exposure ratings at 20°C. The ability of plastic materials to resist chemical attack and damage is dependent also on temperature, length of exposure to the chemical, and added stresses such as centrifugation. For more detailed chemical resistance ratings for Nalgene products and materials, please consult the resources referenced at the bottom of this page.

*Except for oxidizing acids; for oxidizing acids, see "Oxidizing agents, strong."

While the impact resistance of polypropylene copolymer makes it an attractive alternative to glass in the lab, there are some tips you should know to ensure you get the most out of your PPCO labware and use it successfully in lab applications.

Material identification
First, you’ll want to be sure you know what kind of plastic your labware is made from before subjecting it to more demanding lab processes like autoclaving or aggressive chemical exposure. Many Nalgene products have the material identification code molded into the product to help you determine the material of construction. For example, most Nalgene bottles have the material code (“PP” or “PPCO” for example) molded into the bottom of the bottle. Beakers have the material silk screened on the side. And many labware items have the code molded in somewhere on the underside. By knowing what plastic material your product is made from, you can make informed choices regarding appropriate applications in which it can be used. 

Be sure to follow all autoclave instructions provided with your PPCO labware products or contact technical support for detailed autoclave instructions for your specific products. Autoclaving PPCO does result in subtle contraction and shrinking of the PPCO material upon cooling which can affect the accuracy of volumetric measuring devices like volumetric flasks and graduated cylinders.

Plastic aging
PPCO labware will age over time. If labware pieces are permanently discolored (yellow, brown, pink, etc.), if you see cracks or spiderweb-like “crazing” beginning to occur, it’s probably time to replace your old labware. A squeeze of your Nalgene PPCO bottle should feel stiff but pliable; if you instead hear or feel crackling, immediately retire your bottle and replace it to prevent failure in use. Centrifugware should be visually inspected before each use and similarly retired at the first sign of any crack formation or crazing. Repeated autoclaving will accelerate the aging process and necessitate more frequent replacement. To slow the aging process and prolong the life of your PPCO labware, store products in a cabinet out of direct exposure with UV light (including overhead indoor lighting), use only with compatible chemicals, and wash with a pH-neutral detergent like Nalgene L900.

Recyclability
PPCO products are recyclable in many communities (recycle code 5). Most Nalgene PPCO products are reusable and will last a long time under typical lab conditions if used appropriately, but you can recycle them in many communities at the end of their lifetime as long as they are thoroughly cleaned for safe handling.  

Footnotes:
[1]. Heat Deflection Temperature is the temperature at which an injection molded bar deflects 0.1” when placed under 66 psig (ASTM D648) of pressure. Materials may be used above Heat Deflection Temperatures in non-stress applications; see Max. Use Temp.
[2].Max. Use Temp. °C: this is related to the maximum continuous use temperature, ductile/brittle temperature, and glass transition temperature, and represents the highest temperature at which the polymer can be exposed for the matter of minutes to 2 hours where there is little or no loss of strength.
[3]. The plastic will absorb and retain significant amounts of heat resulting in an unexpectedly hot surface.
[4]. STERILIZATION: Autoclaving (121° C, 15 psig for 20 minutes)—Clean and rinse items with distilled water before autoclaving. (Always completely disengage thread before autoclaving.) Certain chemicals which have no appreciable effect on resins at room temperature may cause deterioration at autoclaving temperatures unless removed with distilled water beforehand.
     EtO Gas—Ethylene Oxide: 100% EtO, EtO:Nitrogen mixture, EtO:HCFC mixture
     Dry Heat—exposure to 160° C for 120 minutes without stress/load on the polymer parts
     Disinfectants—Benzalkonium chloride, formalin/formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, ethanol, etc.
     Radiation—gamma or beta irradiation at 25 kGy (2.5 MRad) with unstabilized plastic.
[6]. “Yes” indicates the resin has been determined to be non-cytotoxic, based on USP and ASTM biocompatibility testing standards utilizing an MEM elution technique with WI38 human diploid lung cell line.
[7]. Resins meet requirements of CFR21 section of Food Additives Amendment of the Federal Food and Drug Act. End users are responsible for validation of compliance for specific containers used in conjunction with their particular applications.
[12]. The brittleness temperature is the temperature at which an item made from the resin may break or cracked if dropped. This is not the lowest use temperature if care is exercised in use and handling.
[13]. Ratings based on 5-minute tests using 600 watts of power on exposed, empty labware. CAUTION: Do not exceed Max. Use Temp., or expose labware to chemicals which heating will cause to attack the plastic or be rapidly absorbed.

For assistance choosing products appropriate for your application, please speak with a Nalgene technical support representative team by phone at +1-585-586-8800 or (1-800-625-4327 US toll free), or email your request to technicalsupport@thermofisher.com.

In Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom please contact technical support by phone at +800-1234-9696 (toll free) or +49-6184-90-6321, or email your request to techsupport.labproducts.eu@thermofisher.com.

Regulatory support: for regulatory documentation of product or material claims, please contact Nalgene regulatory support at RocRegSupport@thermofisher.com.