Conditions that can glass tubes to break in a centrifuge:
(1) excessive g force
(2) defective glass tubes (chipped, cracked, etc)
(3) fragments from a previously broken tube in the bottom of the rotor slot
(4) absence or defect in adapters or cushions
Some questions can help to narrow the possibilities:
(1) number of tubes broken during a run
(2) number of runs that have resulted in broken tubes
(3) change in lot or manufacturer of the glass tubes
(4) mechanical condition of the centrifuge
(5) occurrence of tube breakage in the same bucket or rotor slot
It is important to keep centrifuges clean and well-maintained. Precautions need to be taken when cleaning up after a tube has broken, avoiding the broken glass and an biohazardous materials.
