Chemicals can affect the strength, flexibility, appearance, dimensions and weight of plastics depending on the length of exposure, the temperature and the concentration:
Certain chemicals, i.e. detergents, lubricants, oils, pure water and surface additives in the presence of tensile stress can lead to cracking. Prolonged exposure to strong oxidizing agents can also lead to embrittlement and failure.
Never place plastic labware in direct contact with a flame or directly onto a hotplate surface.
Generally, you can clean most plastic labware with laboratory detergent and rinse with distilled water. Avoid using scourers or abrasive cleaners that scratch plastic.
Particular care should be taken to avoid the use of strong alkali cleaners with polycarbonate. In the case of stains, oils, greases or other agents which cannot be removed by conventional washing you can adopt the following measures with care:
Soaking in chromic acid solution will loosen organic materials.
Bleaches (such as sodium hypochlorite if used at 20°C to 25°C) will also assist in the cleaning of organically stained plastic labware. Not suitable for use with polycarbonate.
Methylene chloride and acetone will help remove oils, however prolonged exposure to such organic solvents can cause swelling of certain plastics.
