Corning Erlenmeyer Flask 3L with Vent Cap Baffled Polycarbonate Case of 4 Flasks

Corning 3 L Baffled Polycarbonate Fernbach Flask with Vent Cap (431253)

The Corning 431253 is a high-capacity 3-liter Fernbach-style Erlenmeyer flask engineered for large-scale suspension culture and aerobic fermentation. Constructed from optically clear, medical-grade polycarbonate, this flask features a specialized Fernbach design with a wider base to maximize the liquid surface area for superior gas exchange. The triple-baffled bottom creates high-energy turbulence during agitation, significantly increasing oxygen transfer rates critical for the growth of high-density bacterial, yeast, and mammalian cell lines. Each flask is equipped with a 70 mm wide-mouth vent cap containing a 0.2 µm hydrophobic membrane, ensuring continuous sterile gas exchange while providing a secure barrier against contamination. Shatter-proof and delivered gamma-sterilized, the 431253 is the industry standard for protein expression and bioprocess scale-up in orbital shakers.

Technical Performance and Design

• Fernbach Geometry: The oversized base diameter increases the atmospheric interface of the culture medium, allowing for significantly higher oxygen absorption compared to standard Erlenmeyer profiles.

• Integrated Bottom Baffles: Three deep-molded baffles disrupt laminar fluid flow during shaking, promoting vigorous mixing and preventing the formation of a central vortex, which enhances nutrient and gas distribution.

• High-Flow Vent Cap: The large 70 mm cap features a 0.2 µm microporous PTFE membrane that allows for maximum aeration while preventing liquid wetting and maintaining a sterile internal environment.

• Durable Polycarbonate Construction: Offers the optical transparency of glass with the safety and impact resistance of high-strength plastic, capable of withstanding the mechanical stress of high-speed shaking at 3L volumes.

Product Specifications

• Catalog Number: 431253

• Capacity: 3 Liters (3000 ml)

• Flask Design: Fernbach (Wide-Base)

• Bottom Style: Baffled

• Cap Style: 70 mm Vent Cap (Orange)

• Material: Polycarbonate (Flask); Polypropylene (Cap)

• Sterility: Sterile (Gamma Irradiated to SAL 10^-6)

• Purity: Certified Non-Pyrogenic, RNase-free, and DNase-free.

Key Benefits & Applications

• High-Density Microbial Culture: Optimized for the rapid expansion of E. coli and other aerobic organisms where dissolved oxygen is the primary limiting factor for growth.

• Protein Expression Scale-Up: Provides a cost-effective, single-use platform for transitioning from 1L or 2L flasks to pilot-scale production batches without the need for cleaning validation.

• Aseptic Liquid Handling: The wide-mouth 70 mm opening facilitates easy addition of media and reagents while the vent cap maintains a closed, sterile system during long-term incubation.

• Shaker Compatibility: Designed for use in standard large-capacity orbital shakers; the polycarbonate material ensures the flask will not collapse under vacuum or break if dropped.

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