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Sample Storage You Can Trust for Years, Not Just Weeks
Cell lines, patient samples, and strain libraries are often irreplaceable, so the vial matters. MTC Bio cryogenic vials are thick-walled, LN2-grade polypropylene with silicone O-ring seals that stay leak-proof all the way down to −196 °C.
Every case includes a free 50-place locking rack. The self-standing star foot locks into it, so you can uncap and recap with one hand. Choose internally or externally threaded caps in 1, 2, 3, and 5 mL, all sterile and certified RNase-, DNase-, pyrogen-, and endotoxin-free.
−196 °C
Vapor-phase LN2 rated
O-Ring
Silicone leak-proof seal
Free Rack
50-place locking rack per case
1–5 mL
Four volumes, two thread styles
Why Labs Choose MTC Bio Cryogenic Vials
LN2-Grade Polypropylene
Thick walls for long-term storage from −196 °C to +121 °C.
Silicone O-Ring Seal
Keeps caps leak-proof through freeze-thaw cycles.
Self-Standing Star Foot
Vials stand on the bench and lock into the included rack.
One-Handed Capping
The locking rack holds vials still while you twist caps on and off.
Printed Graduations
Graduations and a white marking area on every vial.
Resealable Bags of 50
Use what you need and keep the rest sterile.
Internal or External Thread: Which Should You Choose?
Externally threaded vials put the threads on the outside of the tube, under the cap. Your sample never touches the threads, which lowers the chance of contamination when you open and close the vial. Many cell culture labs prefer them for that reason.
Internally threaded vials have a slimmer profile with no cap overhang, so they pack tightly into freezer boxes and racks. Both styles use the same silicone O-ring seal, 12.5 mm diameter, and volumes.
Choose Your Volume
1 mL
Catalog No.: V4801 (internal), V3801 (external)
Height: about 40 mm
Fits: 2 in. freezer boxes
2 mL
Catalog No.: V4802 (internal), V3802 (external)
Height: about 47.5 mm
Fits: 2 in. freezer boxes
3 mL
Catalog No.: V4803 (internal), V3803 (external)
Height: about 60.5 mm
Fits: 3 in. freezer boxes
5 mL
Catalog No.: V4805 (internal), V3805 (external)
Height: about 91 mm
Fits: Taller racks and storage
Color-Code Your Samples
Snap a colored cap insert into the top of each cap to sort samples by project, cell line, user, or passage number. Inserts come in blue, green, red, white, yellow, or an assorted mix, 500 per pack.
Need more racks? The V5920 locking rack holds 50 vials in a 5 × 10 layout, 4 per case. Store vials in our 81-place FlipTop™ and polycarbonate freezer boxes.
Typical Applications
- Cell line banking and cryopreservation
- Bacterial and yeast glycerol stocks
- Biobanking and clinical sample storage
- Serum, plasma, and tissue aliquots
- Long-term −80 °C freezer storage
- Vapor-phase liquid nitrogen storage
Safety Tip for Liquid Nitrogen
Store cryogenic vials in the vapor phase above liquid nitrogen, not submerged in the liquid. Liquid nitrogen can seep into a submerged vial and expand violently when it is removed and warmed. Wear a face shield and cryogenic gloves when handling vials from LN2 storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are MTC Bio cryogenic vials a good alternative to Corning® or Nalgene® cryovials?
Yes, for most applications. They are sterile, LN2-grade polypropylene with silicone O-ring seals, rated down to −196 °C in vapor-phase LN2, with self-standing star feet and a free locking rack in every case. Corning® and Nalgene® are trademarks of their respective owners; Blue Tiger Scientific is not affiliated.
Can these vials be stored in liquid nitrogen?
They are rated to −196 °C for storage in the vapor phase above liquid nitrogen. They are not intended for submersion in the liquid phase.
Should I choose internal or external threads?
External threads keep the sample away from the threads, which lowers contamination risk. Internal threads have a slimmer profile and pack more tightly in boxes. Both use the same O-ring seal.
What freezer box fits these vials?
1 and 2 mL vials fit standard 2 in. 81-place (9 × 9) boxes, and 3 mL vials fit 3 in. boxes. The vials are 12.5 mm in diameter.
Are the vials sterile?
Yes. They are sterile and certified RNase-, DNase-, pyrogen-, and endotoxin-free, packed in resealable bags of 50.
What comes in a case?
500 vials in 10 resealable bags of 50, plus one 50-place locking rack.
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