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Scintillation Vials & Caps
20mL glass and polyethylene scintillation vials for liquid scintillation counting, radioisotope assays, and general-purpose storage. Available in standard and mini sizes with foil-lined, polycone, and urea caps.
7–20mL
Volume Range
Glass & PE
Material Options
500/cs
Case Quantities
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Selecting Scintillation Vials for Your Application
Scintillation vials are primarily used for liquid scintillation counting (LSC) of beta-emitting radioisotopes such as 3H (tritium), 14C, 32P, and 35S. Vial material, size, and optical clarity directly affect counting efficiency and background counts. Glass vials offer the lowest background and best chemical compatibility, while polyethylene vials are shatterproof and more economical for high-throughput screening where ultimate sensitivity is not required.
MATERIAL GUIDE
Glass vs Polyethylene Scintillation Vials
| Feature | Glass (Borosilicate) | Polyethylene (HDPE) | Mini Glass (7mL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume | 20mL standard | 20mL standard | 7mL |
| Background Counts | Lowest — minimal 40K content | Low, but slightly higher than glass | Lowest — less glass mass |
| Chemical Compatibility | Excellent — resists all scintillation cocktails and organic solvents | Good — compatible with aqueous cocktails, limited with toluene-based | Excellent |
| Optical Clarity | Excellent — consistent light transmission | Translucent — adequate for most counters | Excellent |
| Breakage | Fragile — handle with care for radioactive waste | Shatterproof — safer for radioactive waste handling | Fragile |
| Best For | Low-level counting, dual-label DPM, research requiring highest sensitivity | Routine screening, high-throughput, binding assays, waste disposal ease | Small-volume samples, reduced cocktail usage, lower waste volume |
💡Minimizing Background Counts
For low-level counting applications (environmental tritium, metabolic tracer studies), use low-potassium borosilicate glass vials. The naturally occurring 40K in standard glass contributes to background. Also ensure your scintillation cocktail is fresh — aged cocktails develop chemiluminescence that elevates apparent counts. Dark-adapt vials for 30 minutes in the counter before reading to allow photoluminescence and static charge to dissipate.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Scintillation Vial FAQ
No. Toluene and xylene-based scintillation cocktails attack polyethylene, causing swelling, crazing, and eventual leaking. Use glass vials with organic solvent-based cocktails. Polyethylene vials are compatible with newer environmentally safe (biodegradable) aqueous-accepting cocktails and emulsifier-based cocktails.
We carry three cap styles: Foil-lined urea caps — standard for most counting applications, provides a vapor-tight seal. Polycone-lined caps — for samples requiring higher chemical resistance. Unlined polyethylene caps — for general storage and non-volatile applications. Always use foil-lined caps when working with volatile cocktails to prevent evaporation during counting.
Yes. Glass vials have marginally lower background due to better optical properties and lower inherent radioactivity when using low-40K glass. However, the difference is typically 1–3 CPM in the tritium channel. For most applications above 100 DPM, either material is acceptable. For low-level environmental or metabolic tracer work near the detection limit, glass is preferred.
Mini vials use less scintillation cocktail (3–5mL vs 10–15mL), reducing reagent cost and mixed radioactive/organic waste volume. They fit standard scintillation counter racks with an adapter. Counting efficiency is comparable to 20mL vials for aqueous samples up to about 1mL. They are ideal for binding assays, enzyme kinetics, and any application with small sample volumes.
Glass scintillation vials can withstand autoclaving at 121 C, but polyethylene vials will deform. However, autoclaving is rarely necessary for scintillation counting — vials are typically used once and disposed of as radioactive waste. If you need sterile vials for cell-based assays, autoclave glass vials without caps, then aseptically cap after cooling.
Disposal depends on the radioisotope, activity level, and your institution's radiation safety program. Short-lived isotopes (32P, t1/2 = 14.3 days) can often be held for decay-in-storage. Long-lived isotopes (14C, 3H) with organic cocktails are classified as mixed waste. Polyethylene vials simplify handling since they are shatterproof. Always follow your Radiation Safety Officer's disposal protocols.
Need help selecting the right scintillation vial?
We can recommend the optimal vial material, size, and cap type for your counting application and cocktail. Contact us for technical guidance and case pricing.