Stirring Bars and Rods
Products of various sizes, shapes, and material compositions designed to aid in manual or automatic stirring of laboratory solutions. Includes glass stirring rods, magnetic stir bars, and stir bar retrievers.
What Is a Magnetic Stir Bar?
Magnetic stir bars are stirrers or stirring hotplates used with magnets to mix a liquid or solution by creating a vortex.
A number of factors affect magnetic stir bar efficiency and effectiveness, including its size, shape, and material. Sizes (L x Diameter) range from 2 x 2 mm to 159 x 27 mm and shapes include:
- Polygonal or octagonal magnetic stir bars are the most common shapes; the multiple surfaces add turbulence to the mixing action
- Elliptical or egg-shapped stir bars work especially well with round-bottom flasks
- Wedge-shaped spin bars produce more significant turbulence for dissolving salts or in samples containing sediment
- Spin bars with fins or vanes, designed for smaller vessels, tubes, or cuvettes
- Micro (“flea”) stir bars for mixing extremely small samples
What Kind of Magnet Is Used?
Stir bar magnets are typically made from Alnico, a combination of aluminum and nickel. They may also be made from Samarium cobalt, a rare earth metal that produces the stronger magnetic force needed to mix very viscous substances.
Stir bar magnets are usually encapsulated in white or colored PTFE, hard plastic, or borosilicate glass, and coatings may meet FDA grade or USP requirements. PTFE is durable, inert, and can be autoclaved. Glass-encased cylindrical magnets are useful for high-temperature applications.
How Does It Work?
During the stirring process, integral or removable pivot rings on the stir bar reduce contact with the vessel to help avoid marring plastic surfaces. Some round stir bars have slightly raised ends that create a de facto pivot point, while others have more pronounced round centers that help to keep them in motion. Stir bars may be reusable or disposable.
Magnetic stir bars may be sold individually or in magnetic stir bar kits that include multiple bars in a range of sizes.
Electron Microscopy Sciences Glass Rods, 200 mm Long
Useful tool for all laboratories needs to stir / mix substances. Glass rods are 5 mm diameter.
Research Products International Corp Octagon Magnetic Stirring Bar, 2 x 5/16 Inches, 1 each
Octagon magnetic stirring bars with integral pivot ring are the most commonly used shape. Alnico magnet are encapsulated in FDA Grade, USP Class VI Teflon PTFE low friction coating; durable and inert. The interrupted profile provides greater surface area and added turbulence when compared to the smooth surface of cylindrical bars. Pivot ring aids in reducing friction and chattering. Stirring bars are autoclavable.
Chemglass Life Sciences Chemglass X-Shaped PTFE Magnetic Stir Bar, 20 x 8 mm, Pack of 100
Chemglass X-shaped PTFE magnetic stir bars are bulk-packed stir bars designed for use with laboratory magnetic stirrers. Each bar measures 20 x 8 mm; the pack contains 100 pieces for bulk laboratory use.
- Ptfe construction provides chemical resistance and broad solvent compatibility.
- X-shaped profile creates a deep vortex and provides stability during stirring.
- 20 x 8 mm size is suitable for small to medium vessels.
- Pack of 100 supplies laboratories with a bulk quantity for routine use.
- White color allows easy visibility in clear solutions.
Ace Glass, Inc. Stirbar, PTFE, octagonal, red, 38.1mmx8.0mm
Stirbar, PTFE, octagonal, red, 38.1mmx8.0mm
Research Products International Corp Flea Micro Magnetic Stirring Bar, 10 x 3 mm
Micro (Flea) magnetic stirring bars are designed for stirring small volumes in vessels such as vials, tubes and gradient makers. Particularly useful for environmental testing and life science applications in which small sample volumes need to be prepared and evaluated.
Research Products International Corp Spinbar Magnetic Sink Strainer, Blue
The Spinbar Magnetic Sink Strainer provides an innovative solution to a common laboratory inconvenience. Prevents magnetic stirring bars from accidentally slipping into the drain when cleaning beakers or cylinders. Flexible chemical resistant strainer has four strong magnets that attract and hold stirring bars. The strainer is designed with long slits that allow unobstructed drainage of fluids. Strainer remains securely in place and fits a variety of sinks. Flat edge allows strainer to be placed near the sink wall.
Chemglass Life Sciences Stir Bar, Micro, Magnetic, PTFE, Length x Dia. in mm: 6 x 3, Bulk Packed
Stir Bar, Micro, Magnetic, PTFE, Length x Dia. in mm: 6 x 3, Bulk Packed. Micro PTFE stir bar for the very smallest containers. Manufactured with FDA-grade and USP Class VI PTFE.
Chemglass Life Sciences Stir Bar, Magnetic, PTFE, Turbo, Rare Earth, Elliptical, 70 x 28mm
Exceptional strength coupled with almost total resistance to demagnetisation. Identified by an inert carbon black spot.
Azzota Corp Ptfe Magnetic Stir Bar Retriever, Length: 12" (300mm)
PTFE Magnetic Stir Bar Retriever, Length: 12" (300mm)