500ml Centrifuge Tubes

What Are 500 mL Centrifuge Tubes?

500 mL centrifuge tubes are large-format polypropylene conical vessels used for process-scale centrifugation applications where sample volumes exceed approximately 300 mL per tube. These tubes typically have standard dimensions of 95 mm outer diameter and 146 mm height, and feature a conical bottom that enables efficient pellet formation and recovery. They are rated for use up to 6,000 × g in a compatible swing-bucket rotor system equipped with polyetherimide (PEI) support cushions.

These tubes are commonly used in large-scale mammalian cell culture harvesting from bioreactors, viral vector production (including AAV and lentivirus), vaccine manufacturing workflows, large-volume density-gradient separations, and preparative-scale protein or nucleic acid precipitation.

500 mL centrifuge tubes are used when process volumes are 300–480 mL per run and a 250 mL tube would require multiple centrifugation cycles.

The MBP Quality Standard:

• High-capacity 500ml vessels for industrial-strength bulk concentration.
• Bi-directional transfer caps with silicone tubing for closed-system fluid handling.
• Gamma-irradiated sterile containers validated for aseptic processing.
• Chemical-resistant construction for durability against aggressive buffers.

How to Choose 500 mL Centrifuge Tubes

Rotor Compatibility First

500 mL centrifuge tubes require a compatible swing-bucket rotor system that can accommodate a 95 mm tube diameter along with appropriate PEI support cushions. Common compatible systems include Thermo Fisher TX-750 and equivalent swing-bucket rotor models. It is essential to confirm both rotor bucket compatibility and correct cushion part numbers before use.

Using 500 mL tubes without proper support cushions or in incompatible rotors can lead to tube deformation or failure even at relatively low centrifugal forces.

Sterility for Bioproduction Workflows

Sterile 500 mL centrifuge tubes are gamma-irradiated to a sterility assurance level (SAL) of 10⁻⁶ and are certified RNase-free, DNase-free, and non-pyrogenic. These are required for bioproduction applications such as viral vector manufacturing, vaccine production, and primary cell culture workflows.

Non-sterile tubes may be used for downstream processing steps, chemical precipitation, or other laboratory applications where sterility is not required.

Cap Integrity and Leak Prevention

500 mL tubes are equipped with HDPE plug-seal screw caps that create an internal compression seal within the tube neck. This design provides leak resistance up to 95 kPa (14 psi), which is important for handling biohazardous or high-risk samples such as BSL-2 cell lines or viral vectors.

Proper cap closure is critical before centrifugation; caps must be fully tightened without cross-threading to ensure safe operation.

Pack Size and Ordering Considerations

These tubes are typically supplied in packs of 5 tubes per bag and 8 bags per case, totaling 40 tubes per case. Because of the relatively low number of tubes per case compared to smaller formats, laboratories performing high-throughput bioprocessing often maintain standing purchase orders to avoid supply interruptions.

500 mL Centrifuge Tube Specifications

500 mL polypropylene centrifuge tubes are manufactured from high-clarity polypropylene resin and are certified RNase-free, DNase-free, and non-pyrogenic. Sterilization is performed via gamma irradiation in compliance with ISO 11137 standards, achieving a sterility assurance level of 10⁻⁶. Molded graduations on the tube body allow approximate volume measurement without removing the tube from the centrifuge rotor.

As of 2026, MBP supplies 500 mL large volume centrifuge tubes; availability, brand options, and lot-specific details may vary. Support cushions are required for safe operation and must be confirmed as compatible with the selected rotor system prior to ordering.

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