Most microcentrifuges include two parts: main structure (body) and rotor. Rotor, as the primary operating part, ensures both microcentrifuge safety and separation effect.

In general, a microcentrifuge can be paired with multiple rotors for different purposes, and different rotor models and specifications can meet the centrifugal needs of different experiments.

The following two aspects are usually considered for selection of microcentrifuge rotors: speed and experimental needs.

Speed – different speeds require different microcentrifuge materials to ensure the required speed.

Experimental needs – different experiments require different rotors to separate various components.

I. How do I select rotor materials?

To choose rotor materials, the following three aspects should be considered:

1. The degree of stress on the rotor;

2. The degree of corrosion resistance of the rotor material to the sample being processed;

3. The maximum rotor speed and capacity allowed by various centrifuges.

As a rule, the rotor materials are determined by microcentrifuge speeds:

1. Below 5000 r/min microcentrifuges’ rotors: generally made of plain steel, stainless steel and engineering plastics.

2. Namely 5000-50000 r/min microcentrifuges and ultracentriufuges’ rotors: aluminum alloy is the relatively best choice because of its light weight and high strength. In general, the higher the speed, the greater the centrifugal force, and the latter is proportional to the material density. So, the rotor materials of (below 50000 rpm) high-speed microcentrifuges and some ultracentrifuges should be high-strength and high-density materials.

3.More than 50000 r/min microcentrifuges’ rotors: titanium alloy is most suitable materials.Titanium alloy features low density, high specific strength, breaking tenacity, fatigue strength and crack extension resistance, superior low-temperature toughness, excellent corrosion resistance, but the cost is relatively high.

II. Which one is better, horizontal or fixed-angle rotor?

The centrifuge rotors are mainly divided into two categories according to experimental requirements, that is, horizontal rotors and fixed-angle rotors. There are three key factors to consider when choosing between them: type of centrifugation (differential, velocity gradient or equidensity), speed and capacity range.

01 Horizontal rotors

It is also known as swing-out rotor (swing rotor or swing-bucket rotor). When the rotor is in the idle state, the microcentrifuge tube centerline in the rotor head is parallel to the rotating shaft. When the rotation of the rotor head is accelerated, it is thrown by centrifugal force from a vertical position to an angle of 90° to the rotating shaft, and the sample deposits at the bottom of the microcentrifuge tube.

02 Fixed-angle rotors

Fixed-angle rotors are the most common rotors used in centrifugation. It holds the tube usually at a centain angle, range from 14°-45°. It is mainly used to separate granular samples that vary considerably in settling velocities.The particles travel a short distance in the fan-shaped solution and those that hit the outer wall slide along the tube wall to the tube bottom to form sediment. Thus, this rotor can quickly collect deposits. The rotor has a low center of gravity and can withstand a maximum centrifugal force of up to 800,000xg. Fixed-angle rotors are mainly used for differential separation, precipitation of particles from suspensions, collection of particles, etc. The bore in these rotors range in volume from 0.2 mL to 1 L and in speed from single digits to 1,000,000×g.

(▲ Fixed-angle rotor)

Selection of fixed-angle rotors for microcentrifuge

In terms of high-speed microcentrifuges, the single tube capacity usually including 1.5 mL, 2mL, 5mL and PCR strip tubes are optional.

RWD microcentrifuges (refigerated/ventilated) are newly equipped with the aerosol-tight quick-lock rotor compatible with 5 mL tubes, withstanding high temperature sterilization. What’s more, RWD microcentrifuges can be used together with other aerosol-tight quick-lock rotor of 1.5/2mL tubes to meet different experimental needs.

#Microcentrifuges(M1324R/M1324)

Make Your Centrifugation Simple

High Speed ventilated Microcentrifuge M1324

• Max. speed: 15800 rpm
• Max. volume: 5 mL*10
• Standard aerosol-tight quick-lock rotos withstands high temperature sterilization and avoids biohazards
• 10 acceleration and deceleration ramps meet the centrifugation needs of different samples

High Speed Refrigerated Microcentrifuge M1324R

• Max. speed: 15800 rpm
• Max. volume: 5 mL*10
• Quick precooling. From room temperature to 4℃ in only 8 minutes
• Standard aerosol-tight quick-lock rotos withstands high temperature sterilization and avoids biohazards