A laboratory cork ring is a specialized stand used to stabilize round-bottom flasks and other spherical glassware on flat surfaces. Because round-bottom flasks cannot stand upright on their own, these rings provide a secure, non-slip base.
Primary Uses
- Stabilisation: Prevents round-bottom flasks from rolling, tipping, or falling over on the benchtop.
- Thermal Insulation: Protects work surfaces from hot glassware removed directly from heat sources like Bunsen burners or heating mantles.
- Protection: Cushions expensive glassware to prevent breakage and eliminates stress points that could cause fractures in borosilicate glass.
- Benchtop Organization: Provides a safe resting place for flasks during weighing, drying, or between reaction steps.
Key Features
- Material: Usually made from agglomerated (compressed) natural cork, which is lightweight, chemically resistant to most organic solvents, and biodegradable.
- Design: Cylindrical with a hollow center and typically a beveled or concave inner edge to snugly fit the curvature of a spherical flask.
- Heat Resistance: Can typically withstand temperatures up to 200°C, making them safe for hot laboratory applications and sterilization in ovens or autoclaves.
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Standard Sizing: Rings are categorized by their outer diameter (OD) and inner diameter (ID) to fit specific flask sizes:
- Small (approx. 80 OD): For 10ml to 100ml flasks.
- Medium (approx. 110): For 250ml to 500ml flasks.
- Large (approx. 140): For 500ml to 2000ml flasks.
- Extra Large (170mm+ OD): For 3000ml to 12000ml flasks.