Are you having trouble selecting the right labware supplies for a lab? You are in the right place. Laboratories are usually spaces where we learn and interact with important subjects, such as Physics and Chemistry, so we must choose the best instruments.

However, most labware supplies tend to be more delicate than everyday ones, so it is good to stop for a moment. Know the basic characteristics to choose from, and then buy the best supplies, taking into account quality durability and assigned cost.

Criteria for choosing supplies for a laboratory

The process of choosing materials for a laboratory is compromising. Opting for a bad option is practically the worst decision. So, to avoid complications, before buying them, let’s go back and consider the following selection criteria:

Glass or plastic?

We know that glass is a delicate material and that it can be smashed into pieces when slammed into the paved ground at any time or opportunity. While plastic, on the other hand, is the most suitable and resistant. Does that mean that we should buy the supplies used in plastic laboratories? The answer is no since glass does have components and properties necessary for tests and experiments.

Glass is necessary to keep the substances mixed in a completely pure state, something that plastic does not achieve – which noticeably alters the composition of the substances used in tests and laboratory experiments. Most of the materials, such as flasks, condensers and funnels, are usually made of glass. Even at high temperatures, they are unalterable and keep the substances in good condition, facilitating laboratory tests.

Material properties

This is a point related to the previous one, and that is that laboratory materials or instruments must be able to withstand the conditions to which they are normally exposed in didactic tests. Or, in other words, that the conditions of use are adapted to the work that we will do since different experiments will be tried to learn notions of Physics and Chemistry. Extrusion dies are the mostly used laboratory wares.

Fragility

Not all supplies to use in the laboratory are fragile. Some are more resistant than others. However, it will depend on the type of instrument we are buying and the agreed properties.

Many stores and businesses sell supplies designed for use in the laboratories of academies, adding higher levels of resistance, ideal for increasing the longevity of the tools.

It should also be noted that these materials should be cleaned constantly, with soap and water as a recommendation, so they should not suddenly crumble or break. Instead, they must be kept in perfect condition during the time that young people will use them.

Quality of materials

As with all products, supplies must comply with a quality level and fully satisfy the needs of buyers and children in their experiments.

How can we know this? Well, there are several simple methods. In the first instance, the basics: ask professionals to get an idea about a brand or a specific type of material.

On the other hand, if you are buying in an online store, it is good to take a moment to read the opinions of users who have already purchased the materials to see if they meet our requirements.

Cost of supplies

The good thing about laboratory supplies is that there is a strong competitive market, with several companies and stores needing to sell their products quickly so that we can find an impressive range of costs.

We recommend comparing materials, such as welding pins, funnels, calibrators, test tubes, condensers, and pipettes, before making a decision. Depending on the materials used, some are more expensive and difficult to find, so you should be attentive or attentive to opportunities to get good laboratory supplies at an excellent price.

Inform

It is not easy to buy among so many materials you frequent in a laboratory. We have those that we have been mentioned –which are used for a specific task, activity, solution or experiment– so it is not easy to select the main materials to use.

So what can we do? Easy: learn about the qualities and characteristics of laboratory instruments to have a consistent basis before choosing between one alternative or another. We are talking about what they are and what they are used for and about maintenance needs, duration, who the manufacturers are, initial cost, repair, and more.

They have to be didactic

One thought of keeping in mind before buying laboratory materials is that they have a specific purpose. What are they? Teach and subsequently train. We have an example:  books and encyclopedias, which facilitate learning satisfactorily.

We mean by this that, when you go to buy these instruments, instead of selecting to leave the list, consider their didactic arrangement – if they are created to be used in a professional laboratory or whether they will withstand the extreme conditions.

They have to be accessible

On the other hand, it is useless to have accessories or laboratory supplies if you do not know how to use them. This means that they have to be accessible to us and have specifications for use. For example, if they are scientific encyclopedias, they should have a vocabulary that is easy to understand and highly precise so that it does not confuse. Since if it contains unnecessary words, what it will do is complicate the teaching and learning process.