What Is A Volumetric Flask Used For

Laboratory glassware

Volumetric flasks of various sizes.

A volumetric flask (measuring flask or graduated flask) is a piece of laboratory apparatus, a type of laboratory flask, calibrated to contain a precise volume at a certain temperature. Volumetric flasks are used for precise dilutions and training of standard solutions. These flasks are unremarkably pear-shaped, with a flat bottom, and made of glass or plastic. The flask's mouth is either furnished with a plastic snap/screw cap or fitted with a joint to accommodate a PTFE or drinking glass stopper. The cervix of volumetric flasks is elongated and narrow with an etched band graduation marking. The marking indicates the volume of liquid contained when filled up to that signal. The marking is typically calibrated "to contain" (marked "TC" or "IN") at xx °C and indicated correspondingly on a label. The flask's characterization also indicates the nominal book, tolerance, precision class, relevant manufacturing standard and the manufacturer's logo. Volumetric flasks are of various sizes, containing from 1 milliliter to 20 liters of liquid.

Classes [edit]

Calibration and toleration standards for volumetric flasks are defined in the following standard specifications and practices: ASTM E288,^[i] E542,^[2] E694,^[three] ISO 1042,^[4] and GOST 1770-74.^[5] According to these specifications, volumetric flasks come in ii different classes. The college standard flasks (Class A, Form 1, USP or equivalent depending on the country) are made with a more accurately placed graduation mark, and have a unique serial number for traceability. Where this is not required, a lower standard (Class B or equivalent) is used for qualitative or educational work.

Modifications [edit]

Volumetric flasks are generally colourless but may exist amber-coloured for the handling of low-cal-sensitive compounds such as argent nitrate or vitamin A.

A modification of the volumetric flask exists for dealing with large quantities of solids that are to be transferred into a volumetric vessel for dissolution. Such a flask has a wide mouth and known equally a Kohlrausch volumetric flask. This kind of volumetric flask is unremarkably used in assay of the sugar content in sugar beets.

While conventional volumetric flasks have a single mark, industrial volumetric tests in analytical chemistry and nutrient chemistry may employ specialized volumetric flasks with multiple marks to combine several accurately measured volumes.

A highly specialized kind of the volumetric flask is the Le Chatelier flask for use with the volumetric procedure in specific gravity determination.^[six]

References [edit]

^ ASTM E288 - 10 Standard Specification for Laboratory Glass Volumetric Flasks.
^ ASTM E542 - 01(2007) Standard Practice for Calibration of Laboratory Volumetric Apparatus.
^ ASTM E694 - 99(2010) Standard Specification for Laboratory Glass Volumetric Apparatus.
^ ISO 1042:1998 Laboratory glassware – I-mark volumetric flasks.
^ GOST 1770-74 Laboratory volumetric glassware. Cylinders, beakers, measuring flasks, exam tubes. General specifications.
^ ASTM C188 - 09 Standard Test Method for Density of Hydraulic Cement.