This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: E969 − 02 (Reapproved 2019)

Standard Specification for

Glass Volumetric (Transfer) Pipets1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E969; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 3.2 Calibration—Pipets shall be calibrated to deliver (sym-

1.1 This specification covers volumetric pipets of two bol TD) the intended capacity at 20 °C. The pipet shall be filled
classes. Class A, Precision Pipet and Class B, General Purpose. about 20 mm above the capacity line. The water is lowered
slowly to the capacity line. Delivery of the contents into a
NOTE 1—Specifications for micropipets are given in Specification receiving vessel is made with the tip in contact with the wall of
E193.
the vessel and no after-drainage period is allowed. Accuracy
1.2 Product with a stated capacity not listed in this standard shall be within the limits specified in Table 1.
may be specified class A tolerance when product conforms to
the tolerance range of the next smaller volumetric standard 4. Design
product listed in Table 1. 4.1 Shape—The pipets shall consist in general of a suction
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor- tube and a delivery tube separated by a bulb; all three parts
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- shall be permanently attached together. Any cross-section of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the the pipet taken in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- shall be circular. The shape shall permit complete emptying
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical and thorough cleaning.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 4.1.1 Bulb—The shape shall permit complete emptying
without any hold up, and easy cleaning.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2 Dimensions—The length of the suction tube shall be 150
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
to 190 mm and the minimum wall thickness of both suction and
E193 Specification for Laboratory Glass Micropipets
delivery tubes shall be 0.90 mm. Pipets must comply with the
E438 Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
essential dimensions given in Table 1.
E920 Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory
Apparatus 4.3 Delivery Tips—Delivery tips shall be made with a
E921 Specification for Export Packaged Laboratory Appa- gradual taper of 1.5 to 3 cm. The end of the tip shall be
ratus perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tip. The outside
E1133 Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Labo- edge of the tip may be bevelled slightly and the end and the
ratory Apparatus for United States Government Procure- bevel shall be ground or fire-polished. Sudden constriction at
ments the orifice would impair smooth flow characteristics of the
E1157 Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable delivery stream and is not acceptable.
Laboratory Glassware 4.3.1 Tempered Tips—May be supplied at option of manu-
facturer. The tempered tip, when tested in index oil which
3. General Requirements matches the refractive index of the glass being used, shall have
3.1 Borosilicate Glass—Borosilicate glass for pipets shall a temper between 75 and 220 nm (millimicrons).
conform to the glass requirements of Type 1, Class A or B of 4.4 Markings—All markings shall be permanent and leg-
Specification E438. ible.
4.4.1 Capacity Line—The capacity line shall be a sharply
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E41 on defined line of uniform width (maximum 0.6 mm) in a plane
Laboratory Apparatus and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E41.01 on perpendicular to the vertical axis of the pipet. The line shall be
Laboratory Ware and Supplies.
Current edition approved July 1, 2019. Published August 2019. Originally applied by one of the following methods: etched and filled with
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E969 – 02(2012). DOI: a permanent pigment; etched through a vertical colored stripe
10.1520/E0969-02R19.
2
fused into the glass; by application of a stain fired into the glass
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
without etching; or by application of an enamel fired onto the
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on glass without etching. The line shall completely encircle the
the ASTM website. tube except when the line is a stain fired into the glass without

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 E969 − 02 (2019)
TABLE 1 Requirements for Volumetric (Transfer) Pipet
Nominal Capacity Tolerance, Length of Delivery Tube, Inside Diameter at Maximum Distance Minimum Outflow
Capacity, mL mm Capacity Mark, mm Time, sA Color-Coding
Between Bulb and
mL Band
Class A Class B min max min max Graduation Mark, mm Class A Class B
0.5 ±0.006 ±0.012 100 140 1.3 4 60 5 3 black (2)
1 ±0.006 ±0.012 100 140 2 4 60 8 3 blue
2 ±0.006 ±0.012 120 150 2 4 60 8 3 orange
3 ±0.01 ±0.02 130 170 2 4 60 8 5 black
4 ±0.01 ±0.02 130 170 2 4 60 8 5 red (2)
5 ±0.01 ±0.02 130 170 2 4 60 8 8 white
6 ±0.01 ±0.03 150 190 2 4 60 10 8 orange (2)
7 ±0.01 ±0.03 150 190 2 4 60 10 8 green (2)
8 ±0.02 ±0.04 150 190 2 4 60 10 8 blue
9 ±0.02 ±0.04 150 190 2 4 60 10 8 black
10 ±0.02 ±0.04 150 190 2 4 70 15 8 red
15 ±0.03 ±0.06 180 220 3.5 5.5 70 25 10 green
20 ±0.03 ±0.06 230 260 3.5 5.5 70 25 10 yellow
25 ±0.03 ±0.06 230 260 3.5 5.5 70 25 15 blue
30 ±0.03 ... 230 260 3.5 5.5 70 25 ... black
40 ±0.05 ... 230 260 4 6 70 25 ... white
50 ±0.05 ±0.10 230 260 4 6 70 25 15 red
100 ±0.08 ±0.16 230 260 5 7 80 30 20 yellow
A
Maximum outflow time for A or B shall be 60 s.

etching. If so stained, the line shall extend a minimum of 90 % 4.5 Workmanship—Pipets shall be free of defects which
of the way around the tube. may distort the appearance of the liquid surface or may impair
4.4.2 Color Coding—Each pipet shall be marked with one the serviceability.
or two color bands as specified in Table 1. The single band
should be 6 to 10 mm wide, while the double color bands 5. Sampling and Testing
should each be 3 to 5 mm wide and separated by a clear space
of 2 to 3 mm. Color bands do not have to be continuous but 5.1 For sampling refer to Specification E1157.
may be broken as long as they cover 40 % of the circumference
of the pipet. Colors must be bright and distinct. 6. Packaging
4.4.3 Identification Markings—Each pipet marked by one of 6.1 For packaging, select from Specifications E920, E921,
the methods given in 4.4.1 shall show the manufacturer’s name or Practice E1133.
or trademark, the nominal capacity, the word “delivers” or the
symbol “TD,” the temperature of calibration, 20 °C. The letter
7. Keywords
“A” symbolizing Class A accuracy to appear on all Class A
pipets. Class A pipets may be optionally serialized. 7.1 glass; pipets; volumetric

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