The right stirrer seals & shafts impact the results of your experiment

Laboratory stirrers are important for experiments as they speed up chemical reactions and help to achieve chemical equilibrium more quickly. Stirrers can be used for various experiments such as cell lysis. Cell lysis or cellular disruption is a method where the cell membrane is broken down to release inter-cellular materials such as DNA, RNA and proteins. One way of breaking down the cell membrane is with the physical force method of cavitation and can be achieved with a powerful stirrer. 

In some cases the magnetic stirrer may not be powerful enough, in which case a KPG stirrer can be used. The KPG stirrer has an electric motor, a control unit and a drive shaft. The drive shaft can be mounted on the stirrer shaft using a short hose. 

The type of stirrer used during an experiment, greatly affects the results. For example, a propeller stirrer can be better suited towards blending and as a thickening agent. Whereas U-shaped stirrer blades are ideal for mixing viscous liquids because they allow for a strong, tangential flow inside the stirrer. Therefore, it is important to choose the right stirrer blade for the right experiment.

Various sizes and shapes of stirrers blades are available to customise to the shape of your stirrer flask. Many are available in a PTFE-jacketed stainless steel construction. PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) products are hydrophobic and display resistance to higher temperatures, but can also display non-stick properties. Therefore, the PTFE coating ensures universal chemical resistance.  

The stirrer shaft runs through the stirrer bearing and can be connected to the flask using its ground joint. However, it is important to note that a lubricant is needed to reduce the friction created between shaft and bearing.