Designation: E 288 – 06

Standard Specification for

Laboratory Glass Volumetric Flasks1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 288; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This specification covers requirements for glass volu- 2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
metric flasks of precision and general-purpose grades suitable E 237 Specification for Laboratory Glass Microvolumetric
for laboratory purposes. Vessels (Volumetric Flasks and Centrifuge Tubes)
1.1.1 Class A—Each flask of precision grade shall be E 438 Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
marked with the letter “A” to signify compliance with appli- E 542 Practice for Calibration of Laboratory Volumetric
cable construction and accuracy requirements. Flasks may be Apparatus
marked with an identification number (serial number) at the E 675 Specification for Interchangeable Taper-Ground
option of the manufacturer. Stopcocks And Stoppers
1.1.2 Class B—General purpose flasks are of the same basic E 694 Specification for Laboratory Glass Volumetric Appa-
design as Class A flasks. However, volumetric tolerances for ratus
Class B flasks shall be within twice the specified range allowed E 920 Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory
for Class A flasks. These flasks need not be marked with their Apparatus
class designation. E 921 Specification for Export Packaged Laboratory Appa-
NOTE 1—Specifications for micro volumetric flasks in sizes from 1 mL
ratus
to 25 mL, inclusive, are given in Specification E 237. E 1133 Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Labo-
NOTE 2—The Twelfth General (International) Conference on Weights ratory Apparatus for United States Government Procure-
and Measures redefined the litre as a “special name for the cubic ments
decimetre,” but agreed to permit continuance of the terms litre, millilitre, E 1157 Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable
and mL, except in association with measurements of the highest precision. Laboratory Glassware
For volumetric glassware the difference between the old and new
meanings of litre is negligible. Therefore, either mL or cm3 may be 3. General Requirements
marked on ware covered by this Specification.
3.1 Calibration—Flasks shall be calibrated in accordance
1.1.3 Product with a stated capacity not listed in this with the methods outlined in Practice E 542.
standard may be specified class A tolerance when product
conforms to the tolerance reange of the next smaller volumetric 4. Design
standard product listed in Table 1. 4.1 Flasks shall be designed in accordance with Specifica-
1.1.4 Wide Mouth—Requirements for insertion of tablet or tions E 438 and E 694. Flask necks may be designed with
capsule for assay dilution and to accommodate access of larger either taper-ground joints to accept stopper sizes specified in
diameter pipets have created demand for introduction of Table 1 or they may have reinforced rims or screw threads for
volumetric flasks provided with larger opening. Product with a acceptance of cap style closures. The neck may be either
stated capacity with a wider mouth, not previously listed in this straight sided or provided with a mixing bulb located above the
standard, may be specified class A tolerance when product graduation line (intermediate bulb style). Any cross section of
conforms to the tolerance range of the volumetric standard the neck taken in a plane parallel to the base shall be circular;
product listed in Table 2. In order to avoid confusion, wide similar sections of the body shall be either circular or square.
neck flask tolerance must be marked on each flask as a The shape shall permit complete emptying and thorough
requirement. cleaning. The bottom or base shall be such that the volumetric
flask will stand solidly on a level surface. The area of the

1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E41 on
2
Laboratory Apparatus and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E41.01 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Apparatus. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved April 1, 2006. Published May 2006. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 1965 Last previous edition approved in 2003 as 288 – 03. the ASTM website.

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 E 288 – 06
TABLE 1 Requirements for Volumetric Flasks
Position of Capacity Line
Maximum
Straight-Neck Style— Intermediate Bulb Style—
Class A Class B Inside
Minimum Distance Minimum Distance
Capacity, Capacity Capacity Diameter
from from Stopper Size
mL Tolerance, Tolerance, of Neck at
6mL 6mL Capacity Line, Top of Mixing
Body, Body,
mm Neck, Bulb,
mm mm
mm mm
5 0.02 0.04 8.25 22 5 ... ... 8 or 9
10 0.02 0.04 8.25 28 7 ... ... 9
25 0.03 0.06 8.25 35 7 ... ... 9
50 0.05 0.10 10.00 40 8 10 8 9
100 0.08 0.16 12.30 40 10 10 10 13
200 0.10 0.20 15.00 45 10 10 10 16
250 0.12 0.24 15.00 45 10 10 10 16
500 0.20 0.40 18.20 60 15 10 10 19
1000 0.30 0.60 20.00 60 15 10 10 22
2000 0.50 1.00 25.50 60 15 10 15 27

TABLE 2 Requirements for “Wide Mouth” Volumetric Flasks

Position of Capacity Line
Maximum
Straight-Neck Style— Intermediate Bulb Style—
Class A Class B Inside
Minimum Distance Minimum Distance
Capacity, Capacity Capacity Diameter
from from Stopper Size
mL Tolerance, Tolerance, of Neck at
6mL 6mL Capacity Line, Top of Mixing
Body, Body,
mm Neck, Bulb,
mm mm
mm mm
5 0.08 0.16 13.0 22 5 ... ... 13
10 0.08 0.16 13.0 28 7 ... ... 13
25 0.08 0.16 13.0 35 7 ... ... 13
50 0.08 0.16 13.0 40 8 10 8 13
100 0.10 0.20 15.0 40 10 10 10 16
200 0.20 0.40 18.5 45 10 10 10 19
250 0.20 0.40 18.5 45 10 10 10 19

bottom or base shall be of sufficient size so that the volumetric completely encircle the flask except when the line consists of
flask (except the 10-mL flask), when empty and without stain or enamel. If of stain or enamel, the line shall extend a
stopper, shall stand on an inclined plane of 15° to the minimum of 90 % of the neck circumference.
horizontal. The 10-mL flask shall stand on an inclined plane of 4.5.2 Identification Markings—Each flask, marked by one
10° to the horizontal. of the methods given in 4.5.1 shall show the manufacturer’s
4.2 Intermediate Bulb Style Flasks—The bulb in the neck of name or trademark, the nominal capacity, the word “contains”
an Intermediate Bulb-style flask shall hold approximately 10 % or the symbol “TC,” and the temperature of calibration, that is,
of the nominal capacity for sizes up to 1000 mL, inclusive, and 20°C. Stoppers shall be marked with the identification of the
5 % of the nominal capacity for the 2000-mL size. manufacturer or seller and size; molded raised letters and
4.3 Stoppers—Where stoppers are provided they may be numbers may be used. In order to avoid confusion, wide neck
either glass or plastic, as desired by the user. Stoppers shall flask tolerance must be marked on each flask as a requirement.
prevent leakage of liquid when flask is inverted or shaken and 4.5.3 Laboratory Marking Spot—Each flask shall have an
conform to Specification E 675. area roughened by blasting or enameled to provide a suitable
4.4 Dimensions—Flasks shall conform to the essential di- area for laboratory marking.
mensions given in Table 1.
4.5 Markings—All markings shall be permanent and leg- 5. Sampling and Testing
ible. 5.1 For sampling and testing refer to Specification E 1157.
4.5.1 Capacity Line—The capacity line shall be sharply
defined and of uniform width (maximum 0.6 mm) in a plane 6. Packaging
parallel to the base of the flask. The line shall be applied by one
of the following methods: etched and filled with a permanent 6.1 For packaging select from one of Specification E 920,
pigment; engraved; etched or engraved through a vertical Specification E 921, or Practice E 1133.
colored stripe fused into the glass; by application of a stain
fired into the glass without etching; by application of enamel 7. Keywords
which is fused on the glass without etching. The line shall 7.1 flasks; glass; volumetric

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 E 288 – 06
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