Frequently Asked Questions

Are FIBERLite® Carbon Fiber rotors more expensive than the metallic rotors I’m using now?
No, in fact the price of carbon fiber rotors are generally less than comparable metallic ones.

How long do FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors last?
All FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors have a limited lifetime warranty and so, provided that you follow the instructions for use and care of rotors, they should last indefinitely.

Will FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors work in my centrifuge?
FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors are designed to be compatible with the centrifuges of most major manufacturers.

Can I use standard tubes and bottles that I have used in metal rotors?
All FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors are designed to use standard bottles and tubes similar to equivalent metallic rotors.

Will my warranty or maintenance agreement become invalid if I use a FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE carbon fiber rotor in my centrifuge?
No. Fiberlite Centrifuge Inc will honor all aspects of your manufacturer's centrifuge warranty service agreement, or Fiberlite rotor warranty if any Fiberlite Centrifuge rotor, when examined, caused any damage to your new centrifuge.

How much lighter are FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors compared with equivalent metal rotors?
FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors weigh about half as much as equivalent metallic rotors.

What are the major advantages of lightweight FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors?
Lightweight FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors are much easier to handle with less risk of personal injury and they cause less wear and tear on the centrifuge drive system.

Do centrifuges still operate correctly with lightweight rotors?
The weight of FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors is sufficient to ensure the proper and safe functioning of centrifuge.

How do the prices of FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors compare with those of metallic rotors?
The prices of FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors are generally less than comparable metallic ones.

Do the heat insulation properties of the carbon composite material used for FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors cause any problems?
In fact the heat insulation properties of carbon composite material are a positive advantage because cold samples can be centrifuged at a constant temperature much longer than they can be in a metallic rotor.

Since carbon fiber material is so inert is there any need to clean rotors?
From a safety point of view it is important to ensure that the rotor is kept clean. Otherwise, the accumulations of substance in rotor pockets may create a hazard, for example, evaporation may significantly increase the concentration of solutions such that they are hazardous. FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE recommends the use of a specially formulated detergent, FIBERClene™, for cleaning all of its rotors.

What types of chemicals might damage my FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors?
While carbon fibers composites are inert, the resin may be attacked by prolonged exposure to some chemicals. A comprehensive list of chemical resistance is available elsewhere on this site ...

Do I need to change my centrifugation conditions when I am using FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors?
FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors have very similar effective dimensions as the equivalent metallic rotors and so it is not necessary to change the centrifugation conditions. However, the run time will be shorter because of the faster acceleration and deceleration of the lighter weight FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors...

If my FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotor becomes contaminated how can I decontaminate it?
Unlike metallic rotors, FIBERLite® Centrifuge's rotors can be washed and even soaked in a wide range of laboratory detergents in order to remove radioactive contamination. We recommend the use of FIBERClene™ for removing all types of contamination. Unlike metallic rotors, most radioisotopes such as 32P-phosphate can be wiped off of any surface of FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors.

Can I sterilize my FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors by autoclaving even though they contain metal and carbon fiber material?
Yes, compression molded rotors are thermoset as part of the manufacturing process and can be autoclaved to 121°C.

In the event of rotor failure how much damage will be done to my centrifuge?
FIBERLite® CentrifugeE's rotors have 70% less kinetic energy upon failure and cannot cause a catastrophic incident like their metallic counterparts.

What if my centrifuge is damaged while I am using a FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotor?
If the damage was caused by a manufacturing defect of the rotor, FIBERLite® Centrifuge will repair or replace the centrifuge damaged by our rotor.

How does one read a FIBERLite® rotor model number, such as F16S-4x250y?
Please refer to the rotor nomenclature section of this website. (click here)

How can I order my FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotor?
FIBERLite®Centrifuge rotors can be purchased through any one of their distributors including VWR International®and Fisher Scientific®. They can also be ordered by calling 800.784.3843.

What is the K Factor for a rotor?
The K-Factor is a constant used to compare different rotors for their sedimenting efficiencies. This constant is based on the sedimentation coefficient (s) with respect to the time (t) for particles in solution concentrating at the bottom of a centrifuge tube during Centrifugation. (K = t / s)

Total Run times calculated from the above formula may be longer for most metallic rotors although their K-factor may appear to have better sedimenting efficiency than comparable carbon fiber rotors. Carbon Fiber rotors are lighter and accelerate and decelerate faster than metallic rotors, therefore, their total calculated run times are shorter.

What is ELC (Enhanced liquid containment)?
Some models of FIBERLite rotors have special curved annulus at the top of the rotor. The annulus is designed to contain a volume of fluid equal to one bottle/tube in case of bottle/tube failure. In addition to (ELC) all FIBERLite rotors are sealed by using O-ring on the rotor lid, eliminating any fluid or aerosol departure from the rotor in case of bottle/tube failure.

Is heat transfer to samples greater in carbon fiber rotors than metallic rotors at high g-forces?
No! Heat transfer to samples in carbon fiber rotors, due to air friction, is less in carbon fiber rotors than in metallic rotors. Carbon fiber materials are insulators of temperature while metallic materials are conductors of temperature. Additionally the carbon fiber rotors will hold a constant temperature much longer than metallic rotors. The Centrifuge refrigeration system will therefore, cycle less when carbon fiber rotors are used than when metallic rotors are used.

What are the tolerances relating to imbalance when comparing carbon fiber rotors against metallic rotors?
Carbon fiber rotors are not susceptible to slight imbalances as do metallic rotors, because of their light weight. Carbon fiber rotors also do not elongate at high speeds as do metallic rotors, therefore imbalances of approximately 1% of sample volume per tube in small rotors, and 2.5% to 5% of sample volume per tube in large volume rotors can be tolerated in carbon fiber rotors. The metallic rotors are restricted to imbalance tolerance of 0.5% for small rotors and 2% for large volume rotors. In carbon fiber rotors tubes can be filled at equal levels "by eye" whereas with metallic rotors tubes must be filled and balanced within 0.1 to 2.0 grams per tube according to rotor volumes.