Editing Graduated cylinder (section)

== Materials and structure ==

Large graduated cylinders are usually made of [[polypropylene]] for its excellent chemical resistance or [[polymethylpentene]] for its transparency, making them lighter and less [[Brittle|fragile]] than [[glass]]. [[Polypropylene]] (PP) is easy to repeatedly [[autoclave]]; however, autoclaving in excess of about {{convert|121|°C}} (depending on the chemical formulation: typical commercial grade [[polypropylene]] melts in excess of {{convert|177|°C}}), can warp or damage polypropylene graduated cylinders, affecting accuracy.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Graduated Cylinders - SPI Supplies|url = https://www.2spi.com/category/labware-graduated-cylinders/labware/|website = www.2spi.com|access-date = 2020-02-20}}</ref>

A traditional graduated cylinder is usually narrow and tall so as to increase the accuracy and precision of volume measurement. It has a plastic or glass base (stand, foot, support) and a "spout" for easy pouring of the measured liquid. An additional version is wide and low.

Mixing cylinders have [[ground glass joint]]s instead of a spout, so they can be closed with a stopper or connected directly with other elements of a manifold.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elementalscientific.net/store/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=1239 |title=Elemental Scientific, LLC - Science supplies & educational Items |website=www.elementalscientific.net |access-date=20 Feb 2020 |archive-date=20 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520234829/http://elementalscientific.net/store/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=1239 |url-status=dead }}</ref> With this kind of cylinder, the metered liquid does not pour directly, but is often removed using a [[Cannula transfer|Cannula]]. A graduated cylinder is meant to be read with the surface of the liquid at eye level, where the center of the [[Meniscus (liquid)|meniscus]] shows the measurement line. Typical capacities of graduated cylinders are from 10 mL to 1000 mL.