Closure Liner Guide

Closure Size & Thread Style Guide

The screw closure industry has not standardized dimensions to the extent that the container industry has, thus it is advantageous to buy both container and screw closure from the same supplier when possible. Similar to the container industry, when a closure finish is designated as 33- 400, it means that the nominal diameter measured across the inside of the closure at the opening is approximately 33mm. The 400 designates a specific style of thread. The thread finish of the closure and container must be the same. A container with a 33-400 thread finish should be used with a closure that has a 33-400 thread finish.

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Closure Liner Guide

Usually the smallest component part of the package and usually overlooked is the selection of the closure liner. The liner must not alter or be altered by the product. It must withstand repeated applications and removals against the container surface while maintaining the integrity of the sealing surface. Below is information that may help in choosing the right liner from the WHEATON product offering.

Note: Closures and liners are designed for a variety of applications. Product performance can vary depending on conditions. It is recommended that proper tests be performed to determine the best liner for the application.

Pulp / Poly-Vinyl	One mil poly-vinyl film bonded to one mil HDPE on a #30 white pulp paper backing. Superior to plain pulp paper because it provides an excellent moisture barrier.	General purpose: Suitable for wide range of applications. Chemical resistance: Good for mild acids, alkalis, solvents, alcohols, oils and aqueous products. Poor for active hydrocarbons and bleaches.
PTFE Faced Foamed Polyethylene (PTFE / PE Foam)	PTFE faced foamed polyethylene liner offers the excellent chemical resistance of PTFE with the compressibility and sealing properties of polyethylene foam.	Typical applications: analytical lab samples, high purity chemicals, strong acids, solvents. Excellent for environmental samples, pharmaceuticals and diagnostic reagents.
Polyethylene Cone (PE Cone)	Manufactured from polyethylene (LDPE). The unique cone design provides a wedge type seal that not only seals across the top but also across the inside diameter.	Unique problem solving type of liner. This liner is stress crack resistant and offers superior torque retention and excellent sealing characteristics. It is recommended that this liner be tested prior to use for leak seal. Excellent properties of resilience, resistant to moisture vapor. Satisfactory for most moderate chemicals. Not good for oils, strong acids and hydrocarbons. Not a natural rubber. Autoclavable.
Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (14B)	The 14B white rubber lining material consists of homogeneous sulfur cured styrene-butadiene rubber. FDA Status complies with 21CFR 177.26, "Rubber articles intended for repeated use."	Excellent properties of resilience, resistant to moisture vapor. Satisfactory for most moderate chemicals. Not good for oils, strong acids and hydrocarbons. Not a natural rubber. Autoclavable.
Styrene-Butadiene Rubber / 0.005 PTFE (PTFE / Styrene-Butadiene)	The white rubber / 0.005" PTFE liner consists of virign PTFE bonded to the white sulfur cured styrene-butadiene rubber. Complies with the FDA 21CFR 177.1550.	Designed for the ultimate in product safety. PTFE provides a totally inert inner seal and surface facing the sample or product. Autoclavable.
Foamed Polyethylene (PE Foam)	A one piece, three ply coextruded liner consisting of both foamed and solid LDPE. The foam core is sandwiched with solid clear PE.	General Purpose: Broad applications base. Chemical resistance-good for acids, alkalis, solvents, alcohols, oils, household cosmetics and aqueous products. Poor for hydrocarbon solvents. Liner provides. Liner provides tight seal.
PTFE Faced Silicone Rubber (PTFE / Silicone)	The liner consists of 0.005" thick PTFE bonded to 0.055" thick silicone rubber.	Ideal for low temperature storage applications. PTFE facing provides excellent chemical barrier. Autoclavable
Pulp / Metal Foil	Aluminum foil bonded to pulp board.	Good barrier properties, good resistance to hydrocarbons, oils, ketones and alcohols. Not good for acids or alkalis.
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Disk	Manufactured from polyethylene.	Good for distilled water, analytical standards and reagents.

Rubber Stopper Formulation Descriptions

Listed below are the primary stopper formulations with general descriptions that are supplied by WHEATON^®.

Gray Bromobutyl / 39 with Complete Coat	Pros: Low gas and vapour permeablilty, good for multiple piercing applications, compatible with most cephalosporin's, resistant to animal, vegetable, and mineral oils, good resistance to aliphatic, aromatic and chlorinated solvents	Cons: Not recommended for use with ketones.
Gray Bromobutyl / 46	Pros: Low gas and vapour permeability, good for multiple piercing applications, excellent moisture absorption and desorption properties following autoclave and lyophilization drying cycles.	Cons: Poor resistance to mineral oil, aliphatic, aromatic, and chlorinated solvents. Can be autoclaved and irradiated.
Gray Bromobutyl / 47	Pros: Low gas and vapour permeability, great for multiple piercing applications after gamma irradiation, ultra low extractable compound, compatible with most cephalosporin's, very good moisture absorption and desorption properties following autoclave and lyophilization drying cycles, compatible with WFI applications.	Cons: Poor resistance to mineral oil, aliphatic, aromatic, and chlorinated solvents. Can be autoclaved and irradiated.
Gray Bromobutyl / 50	Pros: Low gas and vapour permeability, very good properties regarding ozone, animal and vegetable oil.	Cons: Not good for multiple piercing applications, poor resistance to mineral oil, aliphatic, aromatic, and chlorinated solvents. Can be autoclaved.
Gray Chlorobutyl / 45	Pros: Low gas and vapour permeability, good for multiple piercing applications, resistant to animal and vegetable oils.	Cons: Poor resistance to mineral oil, aliphatic, aromatic, and chlorinated solvents. Can be autoclaved and irradiated.
Gray Chlorobutyl / 46	Pros: Low gas and vapour permeability, good for multiple piercing applications, resistant to animal and vegetable oils, good for lyophilization applications.	Cons: Poor resistance to mineral oil, aliphatic, aromatic, and chlorinated solvents. Can be autoclaved and irradiated.
Gray Chlorobutyl / 50	Pros: Low gas and vapour permeability, resistant to animal and vegetable oil, good for lyophilization applications.	Cons: Poor resistance to mineral oil, aliphatic, aromatic, and chlorinated solvents. Can be autoclaved and irradiated.
Grey Chlorobutyl / 55	Pros: Low gas and vapour permeability, resistant to animal and vegetable oil, good for lyophilisation applications.	Cons: Not good for multiple piercing applications, poor resistance to mineral oil, aliphatic, aromatic and chlorinated solvents. Can be autoclaved and irradiated.
Gray Chlorobutyl / Isoprene Blend / 40 with FEP Facing	Pros: Barrier properties of FEP, good coring characteristics, fair resistance to gas and moisture transmission compared to red isoprene.	Cons: Contains dry natural rubber. Can be autoclaved.
Gray Chlorbutyl / Isoprene Blend / 50	Pros: Good coring and reseal characteristics, fair resistance to gas and moisture transmission compared to red isoprene, good for lyophilization applications.	Cons: Contains dry natural rubber. Can be autoclaved.
Black Halobutyl / 60	Pros: Good resistance to gas and vapour transmission, good for lyophilization applications.	Cons: Poor coring and reseal characteristics, not good for use with acidic products. Can be autoclaved.
Red Natural / 40	Pros: Good coring and reseal characteristics.	Cons: Contains dry natural rubber, poor gas and vapour transmission compared to butyl, not appropriate for products that require an inert gas blanket, not good for use with acidic products or solvents. Can be autoclaved and irradiated.
Natural Silicone / 55	Pros: Good for high heat applications, can withstand multiple steam autoclaves.	Cons: Very poor barrier to gas and vapour transmission, not appropriate for products that require an inert gas blanket. Can be autoclaved and irradiated.
Black FKM / 55	Pros: Low gas and vapour permeability, resistant to animal, vegetable and mineral oil, aliphatic, aromatic, and chlorinated solvents, good for high heat applications.	Cons: Not recommended for ketones. Can be autoclaved
Black EPDM	Pros: Excellent water and chemical resistance, good resistance to gas permeation, good for high heat applications.	Cons: Poor oil resistance, poor resistance to solvents. Can be autoclaved.

Chemical Compatibility of Closures

View the Chemical Compatibility Chart of Closures.

Closure Liner Guide

Closure Size & Thread Style Guide

Closure Size & Thread Style Guide

Closure Liner Guide

Rubber Stopper Formulation Descriptions

Chemical Compatibility of Closures

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