WHEATON® 986532 Glass Liquid Scintillation Vials - 20 mL, Clear Type I Borosilicate, 22-400 Thread, 500/Case
WHEATON® 986532 Glass Liquid Scintillation Vials from DWK Life Sciences are 20 mL laboratory vials designed for liquid scintillation counting and compatible sample-storage applications. Manufactured from clear Type I borosilicate glass tubing, each vial features a 28 mm diameter, 57 mm height, and 22-400 screw-thread finish.
WHEATON identifies the glass used in this scintillation-vial family as providing consistent, low background counts and high ultraviolet (UV) transmission. These properties are relevant to scintillation-counting procedures in which background signal and the transmission of light through the sample container can affect analytical measurements.
The manufacturer's WHEATON Vial Guide describes the glass as WHEATON 180 low-potassium borosilicate, conforming to USP Type I and ASTM E438 Type I, Class A glass-material requirements. DWK's current SKU specification identifies the material as Clear Type 1A Borosilicate. Product-specific certificates should be requested when formal material qualification is required.
WHEATON 986532 is supplied without screw caps, allowing the laboratory to select a suitable 22-400 closure and liner according to the scintillation cocktail, sample, storage conditions, and analytical procedure. Matching closures are purchased separately; no cap or liner material is included with this SKU.
Each manufacturer case contains 500 vials organized in five partitioned utility trays of 100 vials each. These trays provide convenient organization during receiving, storage, and laboratory handling. For additional vial organization, DWK identifies the WHEATON 868806 polypropylene vial rack and M-T Vial File® W228792 as separately available accessories.
Ordering note: This listing is for WHEATON 986532, 20 mL clear borosilicate glass liquid scintillation vials, 28 x 57 mm, 22-400 threaded neck, 500 vials per case. The case contains five partitioned trays with 100 vials per tray. Screw caps, liners, scintillation cocktails, and vial racks are not included. Select the appropriate 22-400 closure separately if the laboratory procedure requires capped vials.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: DWK Life Sciences
- Brand: WHEATON®
- Manufacturer part number: 986532
- Product type: Glass liquid scintillation vial
- Product family: WHEATON Glass Liquid Scintillation Vials
- Nominal capacity: 20 mL
- Material: Clear Type 1A borosilicate glass, per DWK SKU specification
- Glass family: Type I borosilicate
- Historical WHEATON glass designation: WHEATON 180 low-potassium borosilicate
- Historical manufacturer-listed material standards: USP Type I; ASTM E438 Type I, Class A
- Vial color: Clear
- Vial diameter: 28 mm
- Vial height: 57 mm
- Diameter x height: 28 x 57 mm
- Neck finish: 22-400 screw thread
- Screw cap included: No
- Cap material: Not applicable; closure not supplied
- Closure liner: Not applicable; closure not supplied
- Scintillation properties: Consistent, low background counts and high UV transmission, as described by DWK
- Primary application: Liquid scintillation counting
- Additional application: Compatible laboratory sample storage
- Packaging format: Five partitioned utility trays per case
- Vials per tray: 100
- Purchase unit: Case
- Case quantity: 500 vials
- Optional vial rack: WHEATON 868806, sold separately
- Optional vial organizer: M-T Vial File® W228792, sold separately
- Supplied sterile: No SKU-specific sterile designation verified
- Autoclavability: General Type I glass sterilization guidance is available; no validated SKU-specific vial-and-cap cycle established
Where WHEATON 986532 Fits in Laboratory Workflows
Liquid scintillation counting (LSC) is an analytical technique used to measure radioactivity in suitable samples. A sample is typically combined with a compatible liquid scintillation cocktail inside a vial and analyzed using a liquid scintillation counter.
The scintillation cocktail produces light in response to energy deposited by radiation from the sample. The instrument detects the resulting light signal and uses the measurement to determine activity according to its counting method, calibration, and sample-processing settings.
The clear, low-background borosilicate glass used for WHEATON 986532 supports this application by providing a manufacturer-designated scintillation vial with consistent background behavior and high ultraviolet transmission.
These vials may also be evaluated for routine laboratory sample storage when the glass, selected closure, and handling conditions meet the application requirements. However, the 20 mL nominal volume and 22-400 finish do not automatically establish compatibility with every instrument autosampler, scintillation cocktail, storage condition, or sample type.
Analytical qualification: DWK describes low background counts and high UV transmission but does not publish a numerical background-count limit, spectral transmission curve, or instrument-specific counting efficiency for SKU 986532 in the reviewed specification. Verify performance using the intended instrument, cocktail, sample, and laboratory method.
About the Manufacturer:
WHEATON® is a DWK Life Sciences laboratory products brand known for glass and plastic containers, liquid-handling consumables, vials, closures, and laboratory equipment. WHEATON's liquid scintillation vial range includes borosilicate glass, PET, and HDPE configurations, with different capacities and closure arrangements.
WHEATON's scintillation-vial designs emphasize material selection, consistent background characteristics, and compatibility with appropriate laboratory liquid scintillation workflows. Individual catalog numbers distinguish uncapped vials from variants with attached or separately packaged screw caps, making exact part-number selection important for laboratory purchasing.
WHEATON 986532 Features:
- 20 mL nominal vial capacity
- Clear Type I borosilicate glass construction
- DWK-listed Clear Type 1A Borosilicate material designation
- Manufacturer-described WHEATON 180 low-potassium glass
- Consistent, low scintillation background counts
- High ultraviolet transmission as described by DWK
- 28 mm outside diameter
- 57 mm vial height
- 22-400 screw-thread finish
- Uncapped configuration for separate closure selection
- Five partitioned utility trays containing 100 vials each
- 500 vials per case
- Manufacturer-identified compatibility with WHEATON rack 868806
- Manufacturer-identified M-T Vial File® W228792 storage option
- WHEATON catalog number 986532 for exact ordering identification
WHEATON 986532 Benefits:
- Designed for scintillation counting: The glass and vial configuration are specifically positioned by WHEATON for liquid scintillation laboratory procedures.
- Low-background glass: Manufacturer-described consistent background performance helps laboratories select a vial intended for scintillation measurements.
- High ultraviolet transmission: The clear glass offers manufacturer-identified transmission characteristics relevant to light-based counting applications.
- Type I borosilicate construction: Provides the chemical-durability characteristics associated with a laboratory borosilicate glass material.
- Standardized dimensions: The 28 x 57 mm format helps identify the required vial configuration for equipment and storage planning.
- Closure selection flexibility: Uncapped vials allow laboratories to select the correct 22-400 screw cap and liner for their application.
- Partitioned packaging: Five utility trays provide a practical way to organize 100 vials at a time.
- Large case quantity: A 500-count case supports ongoing laboratory consumable replenishment.
- Additional storage options: WHEATON identifies separate rack and file-style organizers suitable for this product family.
Common Applications:
- Liquid scintillation counting in research laboratories
- Measurement of suitable radiolabeled biological samples
- Low-energy radionuclide counting workflows
- Life sciences and biochemical research
- Environmental sample analysis using liquid scintillation methods
- Chemical and physical sciences research
- Radioisotope tracer studies performed under approved laboratory procedures
- Sample preparation for compatible scintillation counters
- Laboratory sample storage using an appropriately selected 22-400 closure
- Research and quality-control workflows requiring 20 mL clear borosilicate vials
The listed applications are potential uses. Analytical suitability, material compatibility, and handling requirements must be evaluated for the specific sample, scintillation cocktail, counting instrument, and facility procedure.
Best-Practice Use:
- Verify the catalog number: Confirm WHEATON 986532 when uncapped 20 mL borosilicate vials are required.
- Inspect the glass: Check each vial for visible chips, cracks, scratches, or damage before use.
- Select a compatible closure: If caps are required, choose an appropriate WHEATON 22-400 screw cap with a suitable liner material.
- Confirm instrument compatibility: Verify the 28 x 57 mm vial geometry and selected cap against the liquid scintillation counter's approved vial requirements.
- Use the specified cocktail: Prepare samples with a scintillation cocktail appropriate for the analytical method and sample composition.
- Control sample volume: Use the laboratory's defined sample and cocktail volumes rather than treating the nominal 20 mL capacity as a recommended working fill level.
- Manage background counts: Follow established blank, standard, and instrument-background procedures.
- Protect sample integrity: Apply appropriate labeling, closure handling, cleanliness, and contamination-control techniques.
- Use compatible trays: Maintain vial organization with the five manufacturer-supplied utility trays or appropriately selected laboratory racks.
- Handle regulated samples appropriately: Follow laboratory radiation safety and waste-management procedures when working with radioactive materials.
- Clean as required: Use a suitable glassware preparation procedure when cleaning or reuse is permitted by the laboratory method.
- Do not assume sterility: The manufacturer does not establish a supplied-sterile designation for this SKU in the reviewed product record.
Selection Notes (986532 vs. Capped WHEATON Scintillation Vials)
- 986532: 20 mL clear borosilicate glass scintillation vial, 22-400 thread, without screw cap, 500 per case.
- 986540: 20 mL borosilicate vial with attached white polypropylene 22-400 cap and foamed polyethylene liner, 500 per case.
- 986541: 20 mL borosilicate vial with attached white polypropylene 22-400 cap and metal foil/pulp liner, 500 per case.
- 986542: 20 mL borosilicate vial with attached white urea 22-400 cap and metal foil/cork liner, 500 per case.
- Uncapped vs. capped: Select 986532 when the laboratory needs to purchase the closure independently. The other configurations have separately specified closure materials and liners.
- 22-400 thread requirement: The selected cap must have the correct finish. Do not substitute a 24-400 or other closure size without manufacturer verification.
- Scintillation vial vs. general sample vial: This product has specific manufacturer claims for low background counts and UV transmission. Those properties should not automatically be assigned to an unrelated clear glass vial.
- Nominal capacity vs. working volume: The 20 mL size does not establish a calibrated measuring capacity or a universal scintillation cocktail fill level.
- Vial storage: The five supplied utility trays differ from the separately sold WHEATON 868806 rack and M-T Vial File® W228792.
- Thermal processing: General borosilicate glass sterilization guidance does not qualify the vial together with an independently purchased cap or liner.
Manufacturer Technical Documentation:
Why Order WHEATON 986532 From SOSCleanroom?
- Exact-SKU sourcing: SOSCleanroom helps laboratories distinguish uncapped scintillation vials from versions supplied with attached screw caps.
- Closure-selection assistance: Our team can help identify available WHEATON 22-400 cap and liner options for the intended application.
- Technical documentation support: Request manufacturer glass specifications, closure information, and available product documentation.
- Laboratory inventory support: Source the correct vial case quantity, packaging arrangement, and separately purchased storage accessories.
- Centralized purchasing: Source laboratory glassware, liquid-handling consumables, and critical-environment supplies through Specialty Optical Systems, Inc.
- Responsive customer service: Contact SOSCleanroom directly for quotations, product availability, and ordering assistance.
Notes: For additional information about Type I borosilicate glass, low-background scintillation performance, UV transmission, cap selection, utility-tray packaging, cleaning, and processing requirements, open The Technical Vault.
SOSCleanroom.com supports laboratory and critical-environment supply programs with product sourcing, manufacturer documentation assistance, and responsive customer service. For pricing, availability, or product questions, email Sales@SOSsupply.com or call (214) 340-8574.
Product page updated: October 26, 2026
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