GRADUATED CYLINDER

APPEARENCE

A traditional cylinder (A in the image) is usually narrow and high

(so as to increase the accuracy of volume measurement)

and has a plastic or glass stem and a "spout" for easy pouring from the measured liquid.

Certain types of cylinders (B in the picture) have ground glass joints instead of a "spout",

so that they can be closed with a stopper or connect directly with other elements of a manifold;

they are also known as mixing cylinders.

With this kind of cylinder,

the metered liquid does not pour directly, but is often removed using cannula.

Always read the graduated cylinder at the meniscus at eye level.

Meniscus is the dip of the liquid.

The accuracy of the graduated cylinder is +/-0.05.

NOTE

A graduated cylinder, also known as a measuring cylinder,

used to accurately measure the volume of an object.

Water displacement can be used by find out the volume of an object.

Graduated cylinders are generally more accurate and precise for this purpose than flasks and beakers.

Often,

the largest graduated cylinders are made of polypropylene for its excellent chemical resistance

or polymethylpentene for its clarity,

making them lighter to ship and less fragile than glass.

Polypropylene cylinders have excellent chemical high resistance

and do not shatter when dropped.

Polypropylene is easy to repeatedly autoclave (sterilize);

however,

autoclaving in excess of 130 °C can warp or damage polypropylene graduated cylinders

depending on the chemical formulation

(typical commercial grade polypropylene melts in excess of 160 °C / 320 °F),

thus affecting accuracy.

REFERENCES

LABORATORY GLASSWARE