Frequently Asked Questions

How long do FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors last?
All FIBERLite® 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® 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® rotors are designed to use standard bottles and tubes similar to equivalent metal rotors.

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

Is heat transfer to samples greater in carbon fiber rotors?
No, carbon fiber materials are insulators of temperature while metal materials are conductors of temperature. Cold samples can be centrifuged at a constant temperature much longer than they can be in a metallic rotor. The centrifuge refrigeration system will therefore, cycle less when carbon fiber rotors are used putting less stress on the refrigeration system. It also reduces the need to store rotors in the lab refrigerator.

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

What are the major advantages of lightweight FIBERLite® 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® rotors is sufficient to ensure the proper and safe functioning of centrifuge.

Do the heat insulation properties of the carbon composite material used for FIBERLite® 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.

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.

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® recommends the use of a specially formulated detergent, FIBERClene™, for cleaning all of its rotors.

What types of chemicals might damage my FIBERLite® 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 in the customer support section of this site.

Do I need to change my centrifugation conditions when I am using FIBERLite® rotors?
There are no application differences. In fact, many carbon fiber rotors have faster acceleration and deceleration rates which reduce overall run times.

If my FIBERLite® rotor becomes contaminated how can I decontaminate it?
Unlike metallic rotors, FIBERLite® 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 metal rotors, most radioisotopes such as 32P-phosphate can be wiped off of any surface of FIBERLite® CENTRIFUGE rotors.

Can I sterilize my FIBERLite® 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® rotors have approximately 70% less kinetic energy upon failure and cannot cause a catastrophic incident like their metal counterparts.

What if my centrifuge is damaged while I am using a FIBERLite® rotor?
If the damage was caused by a manufacturing defect of the rotor, FIBERLite® 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)

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.