What is the purpose of rubber stoppers?
Rubber Bungs And Stoppers Guide - Hilltop Products
Also known as rubber bungs, rubber stoppers are used to seal bottles, tubes and many other containers. They plug containers from the outside without displacing the volume inside.
For more information, please visit rubber stopper uses.
Some more resistant stoppers can also be used for heavy industrial processes.
Stoppers can be straight-edged, but mainly they have tapered sides. The bungs are partially inserted into a vessel acting as a seal.
The stoppers are often used in laboratories and other scientific settings, primarily to seal test tubes and other flasks. Scientists can connect these flasks to other apparatus using tubes which are inserted into small holes in the bungs.
Slightly elastic bungs are perfect for preventing gases and liquids from escaping. They can also help protect important products against contamination.
There are different types of rubber stopper:
They have different properties. This guide explains the benefits of each material and shows what should be used for each purpose.
Choosing The Right Size Bung
The following bungs are all tapered, meaning they have wider tops than bottoms. This means the bungs fit more securely on a wider range of containers.
Rubber bungs need to fit tightly in their container opening so you need to pay close attention to the size of your bungs.
Ensure that the diameter of your container opening fits between the top and bottom diameters, so you can be sure of a tight fit for your bung.
Red Rubber Bungs
Red rubber stoppers are mainly used in chemical laboratories in flasks and test tubes, but they can also be used in fermentation processes, for example in wineries.
Made from natural rubber, it uses polymers of the organic compound isoprene and is classified as an elastomer meaning it has a high stretch ration and high resilience. It is also extremely waterproof.
All the bungs are available with or without drilled holes, except the 3mm and 4mm red rubber bungs, which are too small to be drilled.
Other equipment such as glass tubes – connected to other lab apparatus - can be plugged into the rubber stopper holes.
Bungs with a bottom diameter between 5mm and 8mm are available with one hole of 3mm. Any bung with a bottom diameter over 9mm can have one hole of 5mm and any bung over 15mm can have two 5mm holes.
To help identify a bung’s size, each stopper has a moulded number which corresponds to the bottom diameter of the bung.
This product is manufactured to standard: BS2775:1978 (1992).
Red Rubber Bung Size Guide
Product Code
Bottom Diameter (mm)
Top Diameter (mm)
Length (mm)
RB003
3
4.5
12
RB004
4
5.8
14
RB005
5
7
16
RB006
6
8
16
RB007
7
9
16
RB008
8
10.5
20
RB009
9
11.5
20
RB010
10
12.5
20
RB011
11
14
24
RB013
13
16
24
RB015
15
18
24
RB017
17
20.3
26
RB019
19
22.5
28
RB021
21
24.5
28
RB023
23
26.5
28
RB025
25
28.5
28
RB027
27
31
32
RB029
29
33
32
RB031
31
36
35
Neoprene Rubber Bungs
Grey neoprene rubber stoppers can be used in tubes and bottles in the same way as the red rubber bungs.
Neoprene is a synthetic rubber with better chemical stability and heat resistance over a broad range of temperatures. It is used in a lot of processes – it can be used as electrical insulation and in other hostile environments.
The solid version of neoprene can be used as a bung because it has good resistance to petroleum based oils and other chemicals as well as ozone. It can also be used across temperatures ranging from -30°C to 100°C.
Bungs with a bottom diameter between 5mm and 8mm are available with one hole of 3mm. Any bung with a bottom diameter over 9mm can have one hole of 5mm and any bung over 15mm can have two 5mm holes.
To help identify a bung’s size, each stopper has a moulded number which corresponds to the bottom diameter of the bung.
This product is manufactured to standard: BS2775:1978 (1992).
Neoprene Rubber Size Guide
Product Code
Bottom Diameter (mm)
Top Diameter (mm)
Length (mm)
NB005
5
7
16
NB008
8
10.5
20
NB010
10
12.5
20
NB011
11
14
24
NB013
13
16
24
NB015
15
18
24
NB019
19
22.5
28
NB021
21
24.5
28
Translucent Silicone Stoppers
Manufactured from high-grade silicone, these plugs can be used at a huge range of temperatures – from -70°C to +250°C.
This means they can be used for heavy industrial processes and in environments where they will be exposed to extremes of temperature. They are also good resistant properties against acids, alkali solutions and weathering.
Hilltop Products stocks a huge range of sizes, so you can be sure to find one that fits your needs.
Bungs with a bottom diameter between 5mm and 8mm are available with one hole of 3mm. Any bung with a bottom diameter over 9mm can have one hole of 5mm and any bung over 15mm can have two 5mm holes.
To help identify a bung’s size, each stopper has a moulded number which corresponds to the bottom diameter of the bung.
This product is manufactured to standard BS2775:1978 (1992).
Translucent Silicone Stopper Size Guide
Product Code
Bottom Diameter (mm)
Top Diameter (mm)
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Length (mm)
SB003
3
4.5
12
SB004
4
5.8
14
SB005
5
7
16
SB006
6
8
16
SB007
7
9
16
SB008
8
10.5
20
SB009
9
11.5
20
SB010
10
12.5
20
SB011
11
14
24
SB013
13
16
24
SB015
15
18
24
SB017
17
20.3
26
SB019
19
22.5
28
SB021
21
24.5
28
SB023
23
26.5
28
SB025
25
28.5
28
SB027
27
32
SB029
29
33
32
SB031
31
36
35
SB033
33
38.5
38.5
SB035
35
40.5
38.5
SB037
37
42.5
38.5
SB039
39
44.5
38.5
SB041
41
47
42
SB043
43
49
42
SB045
45
51
42
SB049
49
55
42
SB053
53
59.5
45.5
SB057
57
64
49
SB062
62
69
49
SB067
67
74
49
SB071
71
78
49
SB075
75
85
54
For more information about any stopper product, speak to a member of our knowledgeable sales team. Call: 01942 723 101.
What Is a Rubber Stopper?
A rubber stopper is a small, tapered plug used to seal the openings of test tubes, flasks and other laboratory glassware. Stoppers made of cork are also available for this purpose. However, rubber stoppers are preferable for applications that require a tighter seal or a greater degree of chemical resistance.
Purpose
The primary purpose of a rubber stopper is to prevent a gas or liquid from escaping its container during a scientific experiment. Rubber stoppers can also prevent the contamination of samples by protecting the contents of laboratory glassware from air. Last, the use of rubber stoppers allows experimenters to shake or mix solutions without spilling them.
Shape
The standard stopper is cylindrical in shape, with a tapered bottom end. Some rubber stoppers contain one or two holes to allow the insertion of pipettes, tubing or test equipment (e.g., a thermometer).
Size
Rubber stoppers typically range in diameter from size 000 (0.5 inches) to size 16 (5 inches) at the top. The tapered bottom end ranges from five-sixteenths to 3.5 inches. Smaller stoppers are appropriate for test tubes and similar glassware; larger stoppers are appropriate for flasks and beakers.
Properties
The main properties that make rubber suitable for use as a laboratory stopper are its elasticity, chemical resistance and impermeability. Its elasticity allows it to form a tight seal against the inside of the glassware. Its chemical resistance makes it safe for use with many corrosive and otherwise reactive compounds. Its impermeability helps to prevent the escape of liquids and gases from the container.
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