Sealing Films: A Complete Guide to Types, Uses, and Benefits

Contamination is one of the most avoided issues in various industries, such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. Just imagine how disastrous it could be if a single speck of dust or microbe finds its way into a petri dish, test tube, or sensitive electronic component. The consequences could range from compromised test results to product recalls and hefty fines. Sealing or lab films play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of laboratory environments by creating an impenetrable barrier against contaminants.

These specialised films act as the first line of defence, safeguarding delicate experiments, samples, and components from airborne particles, moisture, and other external factors that could jeopardise their purity and accuracy.

Types of Sealing Films

There are various types of films used in the laboratory setting. Each of these is designed to cater to specific requirements and applications:

Types of Sealing Films

Plastic Cup Sealing Film

Plastic cup films are widely utilised in cell culture and sample containment applications. These durable and versatile films are designed to securely seal a variety of containers, ranging from Petri dishes and test tubes to multi-well plates and vials. 

Their exceptional barrier properties prevent cross-contamination, evaporation, and spillage, ensuring the integrity of precious cell lines, reagents, and samples. Plastic cup sealing films are available in various sizes and thicknesses to accommodate different container dimensions, enabling researchers and technicians to maintain sterile and controlled environments for their invaluable biological materials.

Sealing Film Roll 95mm

This is a versatile and cost-effective solution for high-throughput sealing applications, particularly in microplates. This specialised film roll is designed to streamline the sealing process, enabling researchers and technicians to efficiently seal multiple plates simultaneously. 

Its convenient roll format allows for quick and seamless application, minimising downtime and maximising productivity in busy laboratory environments. With its exceptional barrier properties, they safeguard precious samples and reagents from external contaminants, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of experimental results.

Sealing Film for PP (Polypropylene) Material

These films are engineered to offer superior chemical resistance, making them an ideal choice for long-term storage and preservation of biological samples. These are designed to withstand exposure to a wide range of solvents, acids, and bases, ensuring the integrity and stability of sensitive materials over extended periods.

The durable chemical resistance of PP films is particularly crucial in applications where samples need to be stored in harsh or reactive environments. By creating an impermeable barrier, these films prevent the ingress of potentially damaging substances that could compromise the integrity of the stored materials. This feature is invaluable in fields such as biobanking, where the preservation of genetic samples, tissue specimens, and other biological materials is of paramount importance for research and diagnostic purposes.

Parafilm Sealing Film

Parafilm is known for its exceptional stretchability, making it an indispensable tool in PCR tests and biotechnology experiments. This unique property allows the film to conform seamlessly to various container shapes and sizes, creating an airtight seal that effectively prevents evaporation, contamination, and sample degradation.

In PCR tests, precise temperature cycling is crucial for amplifying DNA segments, and the stretchable nature of Parafilm ensures a secure seal over the reaction vessels. This seal prevents the loss of valuable reagents and minimises the risk of cross-contamination, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the results.

How It Helps

Contamination Prevention

Laboratory films play a critical role in creating an impenetrable barrier that safeguards laboratory containers and their contents from external contaminants. Often used with sealing films sealing machines, these films form an airtight seal around the containers, effectively blocking the entry of airborne particles, microorganisms, and foreign substances that could compromise the integrity of the samples or reagents within.

Sample Integrity

Films play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of samples and reagents by creating an airtight barrier that prevents evaporation, oxidation, and exposure to external environmental factors. These films effectively seal containers, ensuring that the chemical and physical properties of the enclosed materials remain uncompromised. By preventing the loss of moisture or volatile components, they help preserve delicate samples and sensitive reagents, safeguarding their composition and characteristics throughout the storage or experimental process.

Cost Efficiency

Sealing or cover films offer cost-effective solutions in laboratories by minimising the need for frequent replacement of reagents and samples. When they create an airtight seal that prevents evaporation and contamination, these films help extend the shelf life and usability of valuable materials. This reduces the financial burden associated with replenishing supplies and contributes to sustainability by minimising waste.

Increased Accuracy

These films contribute to more accurate results in laboratory experiments by ensuring stable and controlled conditions for reactions and measurements. In chemical reactions, the presence of contaminants or fluctuations in temperature, humidity, or atmospheric composition can significantly impact the outcome. Using films prevents the introduction of foreign substances and maintains a consistent environment within the reaction vessel, allowing the reaction to proceed as intended without external influences.

Conclusion

Sealing films are indispensable tools in laboratories, providing a reliable solution for contamination prevention, sample integrity, and cost efficiency. From the durability of plastic cup films, the convenience of film rolls, or the chemical resistance of PP material films, each type caters to specific laboratory needs, enhancing accuracy and efficiency. By creating a controlled environment for sensitive samples and reagents, they play a pivotal role in maintaining the reliability of experimental results.

If you're looking for high-quality laboratory films tailored to your laboratory requirements, we at Science Equip offer a wide range of options to suit every application. Explore our collection today and ensure the integrity and success of your lab work. Browse our products here.

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