What is an Erlenmeyer Flask?
The Erlenmeyer flask, named after its inventor German organic chemist Emil Erlenmeyer, is also known as a conical flask or titration flask. It is used for a wide variety of applications but basically for heating and mixing solutions. Erlenmeyer flasks are crafted of many different materials including borosilicate glass, polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate co-polyester plastic (PETG), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), and more.
Erlenmeyer flask design
The Erlenmeyer flask looks a little like a long, thin pear, but has a flat round base. It also has a tapered body and a long narrow neck. Some have heavy-duty rims. The even base allows the flask to be placed on a flat surface such as a heating stirrer or lab shaker. The tapered sides of the flask prevent liquid from splashing out of the top. The long neck is designed for a stopper and can easily hold a funnel. The Erlenmyer flask is more accurate than a beaker because of its shape. But, like beakers, they are not suitable for accurate volumetric measurements. Those with graduations have tolerances up to ±5%.
Uses for an Erlenmeyer flask
This type of lab flask can be used for many tasks in a laboratory in addition to mixing and heating. These can include cooling, incubation, filtration, and storage. Certain plastic flasks can be autoclaved for sterilization. In chemistry, an Erlenmeyer flask can be used to swirl liquid during titration. The shape of also makes it suitable for boiling liquids if the material of the flask can handle the high temperature. In microbiology, the Erlenmeyer flask is autoclaved and then used for microbial cultures.
Erlenmeyer flask types
A variety of Cole-Parmer and third-party Erlenmeyer flasks are available at coleparmer.com. The Cole-Parmer brand includes:
Sterile polycarbonate (PC) Erlenmeyer flasks – A safe and shatterproof alternative to glass, these flasks are ideal for media preparation, mixing cell cultures, and storage. The flask neck is designed for easier holding and pouring. They also feature a temperature range from -80 to 121 °C (-112 to 249.8 °F), are DNase/RNase free and nonpyrogenic, sterilized by gamma irradiation, manufactured in an ISO Class 8 cleanroom environment, and ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 certified. The flask body can be autoclaved a single time. They are available with leakproof plug seal cap or vented cap with 0.22 μm hydrophobic PTFE membrane for continuous gas exchange.
Sterile polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) Erlenmeyer flasks – These sterile Erlenmeyer flasks are ideal for containing, mixing, and storing solutions. The crystal-clear flasks feature molded-in graduations allowing for quick volume assessment. They are a safe and shatterproof alternative to glass. The liquid sticking-resistant design at the neck enables easier pouring. They feature a temperature range from -60 to 60 °C (-76 to 140 °F), are DNase/RNase free and nonpyrogenic, sterilized by gamma irradiation, manufactured in an ISO Class 8 cleanroom environment, and ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 certified. These lab flasks are available with leakproof plug seal cap or vented cap with 0.22 μm hydrophobic PTFE membrane for continuous gas exchange.
Economical Erlenmeyer glass flask – This everyday use flask is made with durable borosilicate 3.3 glass and features a heavy-duty rim with narrow-mouth opening. There are very few applications these flasks cannot handle. Their features include easy-to-read graduations, a wide temperature range of -50 to 550 °C, graduated tolerances to ±5%, and autoclavability. They are available in a wide range of capacities from 25 mL to 6000 mL.
Class A, Type 1 Glass Erlenmeyer flask – This economical alternative fits every budget. It features a narrow mouth opening with beaded heavy-duty rim. Features durable white enamel graduations and marking a temperature range from -50 to 550 °C, and autoclavability. Class A borosilicate glass meets ASTM E1404, DIN 12380 specifications.
Glass filtering flask – ideal for vacuum filtration. This filtration flask features tubulation which allows for easy connection to 3/8” ID vacuum tubing. The neckfinish affords an excellent fit for number 8B rubber stoppers or Cole-Parmerfiltration assemblies (order separately).
See the complete line of Erlenmeyer flasks.
Sources
Jay Gregorio, Study.com, What is an Erlenmeyer Flask, Accessed April 10, 2023.
Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Erlenmeyer flask, Accessed April 10, 2023.
CHEMEUROPE.com, Erlenmeyer flask, Accessed April 10, 2023.
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