Thermo Scientific Fiberlite F14-6x250y Fixed-Angle Rotor – 6 x 250 mL
The Thermo Scientific Fiberlite F14-6x250y Rotor is a high-speed, fixed-angle carbon fiber centrifuge rotor designed for large-volume sample processing in compatible superspeed centrifuges. With capacity for six 250 mL bottles, a maximum speed of 14,000 rpm, and maximum relative centrifugal force of approximately 30,240 x g, the F14-6x250y provides an excellent combination of processing capacity and centrifugal force for cell harvesting, lysate clarification, homogenate processing, protein precipitation, biomolecule preparation, and other demanding laboratory separations.
The Fiberlite F14-6x250y uses carbon fiber composite construction rather than conventional aluminum or titanium. This lightweight material provides excellent strength while resisting corrosion and fatigue, resulting in a rotor that is easier to handle than many comparable metallic high-speed rotors.
With a nominal total capacity of 1.5 liters per run, the F14-6x250y is particularly useful for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, and process-development laboratories that need to process substantially larger sample volumes than can be accommodated in conventional 50 mL fixed-angle rotors.
This pre-owned Thermo Scientific Fiberlite F14-6x250y rotor from American Instrument Exchange is inspected for condition and proper operation and includes a 90-day warranty.
Thermo Fiberlite F14-6x250y Key Features
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High-speed fixed-angle centrifuge rotor
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6 x 250 mL capacity
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1.5 L total nominal capacity
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Maximum speed of 14,000 rpm
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Maximum RCF of approximately 30,240 x g
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23° fixed tube angle
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Carbon fiber composite construction
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Lightweight compared with conventional metallic rotors
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Excellent corrosion resistance
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Excellent fatigue resistance
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Suitable for large-volume sample processing
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Maximum tube dimensions of approximately 62 x 135 mm
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Compatible with selected 250 mL bottles
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Compatible with selected 80 mL and 85 mL tubes using appropriate adapters
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Excellent for lysate and homogenate processing
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Suitable for ammonium sulfate protein and enzyme precipitation
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Suitable for plant tissue homogenates
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Biocontainment-capable configuration
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Inspected by American Instrument Exchange
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90-day warranty included from American Instrument Exchange
Fiberlite F14-6x250y Rotor Overview
The Thermo Scientific Fiberlite F14-6x250y is designed for laboratories that need to combine large sample capacity with superspeed centrifugal force.
Each of the rotor's six positions can accommodate a compatible 250 mL bottle, providing a total nominal capacity of 1,500 mL per run.
At its maximum speed of 14,000 rpm, the current F14-6x250y configuration generates approximately 30,240 x g. This provides considerably greater centrifugal force than typical general-purpose large-capacity centrifuge rotors while still allowing laboratories to process samples in convenient 250 mL vessels.
The fixed 23° tube angle promotes efficient sedimentation and compact pellet formation, making the F14-6x250y especially useful for harvesting cells and microorganisms, clarifying lysates and homogenates, precipitating proteins, and performing other medium- to high-speed separations.
Thermo Fiberlite F14-6x250y Key Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
Thermo Scientific |
| Product Line |
Fiberlite |
| Model |
F14-6x250y |
| Rotor Type |
Fixed Angle |
| Rotor Material |
Carbon Fiber Composite |
| Capacity |
6 x 250 mL |
| Total Nominal Capacity |
1.5 L |
| Maximum Speed |
14,000 rpm |
| Maximum RCF |
Approximately 30,240 x g |
| Minimum RCF at Maximum Speed |
Approximately 8,108 x g
|
| Rotor Angle |
23° |
| Maximum Radius |
Approximately 138 mm
|
| Minimum Radius |
Approximately 37 mm
|
| Maximum Tube Diameter |
62 mm |
| Maximum Tube Length |
135 mm |
| K-Factor |
Approximately 1,699
|
| Current LYNX Rotor Weight |
Approximately 8.0 kg / 17.5 lb.
|
| Nominal Maximum Sample Density |
1.2 g/mL on applicable configurations |
| Biocontainment |
Yes, applicable configuration |
| Condition |
Pre-Owned / Refurbished |
| AIE Warranty |
90 Days |
Important: Thermo Scientific has produced the F14-6x250y in several centrifuge-specific configurations. Catalog number, rotor weight, drive interface, accessories, and exact compatibility vary by version. The individual rotor identification and catalog number should always be verified before installation in a centrifuge.
Common Applications
Thermo Scientific recommends the F14-6x250y rotor family for processing lysates, homogenates, ammonium sulfate precipitation of proteins and enzymes, and plant tissue homogenates.
Its combination of 1.5-liter total capacity and approximately 30,000 x g maximum RCF also makes it useful for cell harvesting, bacterial and yeast pelleting, biomass recovery, lysate clarification, subcellular fraction preparation, protein purification workflows, biomolecule processing, and other medium-volume laboratory separations.
Ideal Laboratory Types
The Fiberlite F14-6x250y is well suited for biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical research laboratories, protein purification groups, molecular biology facilities, microbiology laboratories, fermentation laboratories, plant biology groups, university research facilities, contract research organizations, process-development laboratories, and industrial R&D facilities.
It is particularly valuable for laboratories that need more capacity than a 50 mL rotor provides without dropping into the relatively low RCF range of many large-capacity swinging-bucket rotors.
6 x 250 mL High-Speed Processing
One of the strongest advantages of the F14-6x250y is its combination of 250 mL bottle capacity and high centrifugal force.
The rotor processes six 250 mL bottles simultaneously, giving users a maximum nominal sample capacity of 1.5 liters per run.
At 14,000 rpm, the rotor generates approximately 30,240 x g. This makes it possible to perform separations requiring substantially greater force than conventional low-speed bottle rotors while retaining a practical medium-volume vessel format.
For laboratories processing liters of biological material over multiple runs, this balance between capacity and RCF can significantly improve workflow efficiency.
Fixed-Angle 23° Rotor Geometry
The F14-6x250y uses a 23-degree fixed-angle geometry.
During centrifugation, particles move outward through the sample and collect along the outer portion and bottom of the vessel.
Fixed-angle rotors are particularly effective for pelleting because particles have a relatively short sedimentation path compared with many swinging-bucket configurations.
The resulting pellet geometry can be advantageous for cell harvesting, precipitation, and clarification procedures where the supernatant must subsequently be decanted or aspirated.
Processing Lysates & Homogenates
Thermo Scientific specifically identifies lysate and homogenate processing as recommended applications for the F14-6x250y.
After mechanical, chemical, or enzymatic disruption of cells or tissues, centrifugation is commonly used to remove insoluble debris and separate components according to density.
The rotor's 250 mL capacity allows relatively large batches of lysate or homogenate to be processed, while approximately 30,000 x g maximum force provides flexibility for both initial clarification and more demanding downstream separation steps.
Protein & Enzyme Precipitation
The F14-6x250y is also recommended for ammonium sulfate precipitation of proteins and enzymes.
Ammonium sulfate precipitation remains a useful method for concentrating proteins and separating protein fractions based on solubility.
After precipitation, centrifugation is used to collect the resulting protein pellet.
The F14-6x250y's combination of six 250 mL positions and high RCF allows relatively large batches to be processed efficiently, making it useful in protein purification and biochemical research workflows.
Plant Tissue Homogenate Processing
Thermo Scientific also specifically recommends this rotor family for plant tissue homogenates.
Plant tissue processing can produce substantial quantities of fibrous debris and suspended material, often requiring relatively large vessels and significant centrifugal force for effective clarification.
The 1.5-liter total capacity makes the F14-6x250y particularly attractive for plant biology, agricultural biotechnology, natural-products research, and other laboratories processing larger tissue samples.
Cell Harvesting & Biomass Recovery
The F14-6x250y is well suited for harvesting cells from culture media.
Potential applications include bacterial cultures, yeast cultures, cultured cells, fermentation samples, and other compatible biological suspensions.
Six 250 mL bottles allow laboratories to process up to 1.5 liters nominally in a single rotor load, reducing the number of runs required compared with smaller 50 mL rotors.
For fermentation and microbial research groups processing repeated culture batches, this can represent a significant improvement in throughput.
Carbon Fiber Composite Construction
Fiberlite rotors are constructed from carbon fiber composite, providing a high strength-to-weight ratio while offering excellent resistance to corrosion and fatigue.
This is particularly valuable in centrifuge rotors because rotors experience substantial mechanical loading during every acceleration, high-speed run, and deceleration cycle.
Unlike conventional metallic rotor materials, carbon fiber does not corrode in the same manner as aluminum.
Corrosion resistance can be particularly useful in biological laboratories where rotors may be routinely exposed to moisture, buffers, sample spills, cleaning solutions, and cold-room environments.
Lightweight Rotor Design
Although the F14-6x250y is a relatively large six-place 250 mL rotor, carbon fiber construction helps keep its weight manageable.
The current LYNX-compatible version weighs approximately 17.5 lb. / 8.0 kg.
This is particularly important for laboratories where rotors are frequently installed, removed, cleaned, or transferred between centrifuges.
Reduced rotor mass can make everyday handling easier for laboratory personnel while also reducing the weight placed on the centrifuge drive system during acceleration and deceleration.
Corrosion & Fatigue Resistance
High-speed centrifuge rotors are safety-critical components subjected to repeated mechanical stress.
Fiberlite carbon fiber technology provides excellent resistance to both corrosion and fatigue, two factors that can affect conventional metallic centrifuge rotors over time.
This does not eliminate the need for routine inspection.
Users should inspect the rotor body, lid, sealing surfaces, O-rings, drive interface, and accessories before operation and follow the applicable Thermo Scientific inspection and maintenance procedures.
Compatible 250 mL Bottles
The current LYNX-compatible F14-6x250y supports several Thermo Scientific and Nalgene 250 mL bottle configurations.
Examples include compatible:
Fiberlite PPCO 250 mL bottles
Fiberlite polycarbonate 250 mL bottles
Nalgene PPCO 250 mL bottles
Nalgene polycarbonate 250 mL bottles
Thermo's current Fiberlite PPCO and polycarbonate bottles are rated for operation at the rotor's maximum 14,000 rpm / approximately 30,240 x g when properly used.
Certain Nalgene 250 mL bottles have lower specified limits of approximately 13,350 rpm / 27,500 x g.
This distinction is important: the rotor's maximum RCF does not automatically become the maximum allowable RCF for every bottle placed inside it.
The tube or bottle manufacturer's maximum speed and RCF must always be observed.
Smaller-Volume Tube Compatibility
The F14-6x250y can also accommodate certain smaller vessels with appropriate manufacturer-approved adapters.
Thermo specifies compatible configurations including approximately 80 mL and 85 mL Oak Ridge tubes.
This allows laboratories to use the same rotor for several sample-volume ranges instead of dedicating it exclusively to 250 mL bottles.
Correct adapters, closures, fill volumes, and maximum RCF ratings must be observed for each labware configuration.
F14-6x250y vs. F20-12x50 LEX
The F14-6x250y and F20-12x50 LEX serve distinctly different laboratory workflows.
The F14-6x250y holds 6 x 250 mL, providing up to 1.5 L total nominal capacity and approximately 30,240 x g maximum RCF.
The F20-12x50 LEX holds 12 x 50 mL, providing 600 mL nominal capacity but reaching up to approximately 51,428 x g in a LYNX 6000.
Choose the F14-6x250y when sample volume and batch capacity are the priority.
Choose the F20-12x50 LEX when higher centrifugal force and a greater number of smaller samples are more important.
Together, these rotors provide complementary capabilities for laboratories operating compatible Thermo Scientific superspeed centrifuges.
F14-6x250y vs. Swinging-Bucket Rotors
A swinging-bucket rotor is generally preferred when laboratories require horizontal separation geometry, gradient applications, microplates, blood collection tubes, or specialized bucket-based labware.
The F14-6x250y instead prioritizes high-speed fixed-angle pelleting and clarification.
Its approximately 30,000 x g maximum RCF is substantially higher than many general-purpose large-capacity swinging-bucket configurations.
For cell harvesting, lysate clarification, protein precipitation, and other procedures where compact pellet formation is the primary objective, the fixed-angle F14-6x250y can therefore offer significant performance advantages.
F14-6x250y Centrifuge Compatibility
An important consideration with the Fiberlite F14-6x250y is that multiple centrifuge-specific versions of this rotor have been manufactured.
Thermo Scientific documentation identifies F14-6x250y variants for platforms including:
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Sorvall LYNX 4000 and LYNX 6000
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Sorvall RC-6 Plus
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Sorvall Evolution RC
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Sorvall RC-5 Series
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Selected Beckman J2 Series centrifuges
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Selected Beckman Avanti J Series centrifuges
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Selected Jouan centrifuges
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Selected Hitachi Himac centrifuges
These versions should not be assumed interchangeable simply because they carry the F14-6x250y model designation.
The rotor catalog number and drive interface must be matched to the intended centrifuge before operation.
Legacy F14-6x250y vs. Current LYNX Version
Thermo Scientific has updated the F14-6x250y platform over time.
Current documentation for the LYNX-compatible catalog number 096-062075 lists:
14,000 rpm maximum speed
30,240 x g maximum RCF
8.0 kg / 17.5 lb. net weight
138 mm maximum radius
K-factor of 1,699
Earlier F14-6x250y configurations for legacy Sorvall and other centrifuges may be listed at approximately:
30,100 x g maximum RCF
7.03 kg / 15.5 lb. net weight
137 mm maximum radius
K-factor of approximately 1,690
The performance is very similar, but the catalog number and centrifuge compatibility are critical.
Rotor Inspection & Testing by American Instrument Exchange
Centrifuge rotors are safety-critical components, so American Instrument Exchange inspects pre-owned rotors before offering them for laboratory use.
Inspection may include evaluation of:
When compatible equipment is available, the rotor may also be installed and operated to verify proper fit and function.
Users should continue to inspect the rotor before each use and follow Thermo Scientific's cleaning, inspection, maintenance, and operating recommendations.
Refurbished Centrifuge Rotors from American Instrument Exchange
American Instrument Exchange offers inspected used and refurbished centrifuge rotors for laboratories seeking to expand the capabilities of existing centrifuges while reducing the cost associated with purchasing new accessories.
The Thermo Scientific Fiberlite F14-6x250y is particularly useful for laboratories requiring a high-speed 250 mL fixed-angle rotor for cell harvesting, lysate clarification, protein precipitation, and other medium-volume separations.
American Instrument Exchange also stocks refurbished centrifuges and rotors from Thermo Scientific, Sorvall, Beckman Coulter, Eppendorf, and other major centrifuge manufacturers.
Shipping & Rotor Care
The Fiberlite F14-6x250y should be carefully packaged during shipment to protect the carbon fiber body, drive interface, lid, and sealing surfaces.
Upon delivery, users should inspect the rotor and confirm its exact catalog number and compatibility with the intended centrifuge before operation.
Only manufacturer-approved cleaning and decontamination methods should be used.
Users should avoid incompatible chemicals, abrasive cleaning materials, and other procedures that could damage the rotor body, lid, O-rings, or drive components.
Related Laboratory Equipment
Laboratories using the F14-6x250y frequently also require superspeed centrifuges, 250 mL centrifuge bottles, additional fixed-angle rotors, swinging-bucket rotors, refrigerated benchtop centrifuges, ultracentrifuges, biosafety cabinets, laboratory refrigerators, ultra-low freezers, incubators, and other sample-processing equipment.
American Instrument Exchange offers refurbished centrifuges, centrifuge rotors, and laboratory equipment for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, academic, clinical research, process-development, and industrial laboratories.
Thermo Scientific Fiberlite F14-6x250y Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capacity of the Fiberlite F14-6x250y?
The rotor holds six 250 mL bottles, providing a total nominal capacity of 1.5 liters per run.
What is the maximum speed of the F14-6x250y?
The rotor has a maximum speed of 14,000 rpm in applicable configurations.
What is the maximum RCF of the F14-6x250y?
The current LYNX-compatible version produces a maximum RCF of approximately 30,240 x g at 14,000 rpm.
What type of rotor is the F14-6x250y?
It is a 23-degree fixed-angle carbon fiber composite rotor.
What is the F14-6x250y commonly used for?
Thermo Scientific specifically recommends the rotor family for processing lysates, homogenates, ammonium sulfate precipitation of proteins and enzymes, and plant tissue homogenates. It is also useful for cell harvesting, biomass recovery, clarification, and other high-speed medium-volume separations.
Can the F14-6x250y process bacterial or yeast cultures?
Yes. Its 1.5-liter nominal capacity and high RCF make it well suited for harvesting compatible bacterial and yeast cultures and other microbial suspensions.
Why use carbon fiber instead of a metal rotor?
Carbon fiber provides an excellent strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to corrosion and fatigue. This makes Fiberlite rotors easier to handle while providing durability for repeated high-speed operation.
How much does the F14-6x250y weigh?
The current LYNX-compatible F14-6x250y weighs approximately 17.5 lb. / 8.0 kg. Some earlier centrifuge-specific versions weigh approximately 15.5 lb. / 7.03 kg.
Can I use any 250 mL centrifuge bottle in this rotor?
No. Only manufacturer-approved bottles, closures, and adapters should be used. Different bottles can have different maximum rpm and RCF ratings even when they physically fit the rotor.
Do all 250 mL bottles operate at 30,240 x g?
No. Current Fiberlite PPCO and PC bottles can be rated to the rotor's full performance in the appropriate configuration, while certain Nalgene 250 mL bottles have lower maximum ratings. Always follow the labware manufacturer's limits.
Can smaller tubes be used in the F14-6x250y?
Yes. Certain smaller-volume tubes, including compatible 80 mL and 85 mL Oak Ridge tubes, can be used with the appropriate manufacturer-approved adapters.
What is the difference between the F14-6x250y and F20-12x50 LEX?
The F14-6x250y prioritizes volume, providing 1.5 L total capacity at approximately 30,240 x g. The F20-12x50 LEX prioritizes higher RCF and sample count, holding twelve 50 mL tubes and reaching up to approximately 51,428 x g in a LYNX 6000.
Is the F14-6x250y compatible with the LYNX 4000 and LYNX 6000?
The current 096-062075 version is designed for both the Sorvall LYNX 4000 and LYNX 6000 and reaches 14,000 rpm / 30,240 x g in either centrifuge.
Are all F14-6x250y rotors compatible with a LYNX centrifuge?
No. Thermo Scientific produced multiple F14-6x250y versions for different centrifuge platforms. The catalog number and drive interface must be checked before installing the rotor.
Can older F14-6x250y rotors be used in Sorvall RC-series centrifuges?
Certain F14-6x250y versions were specifically manufactured for the Sorvall RC-5 Series, RC-6 Plus, and Evolution RC, but compatibility depends on the exact rotor catalog number.
Is the F14-6x250y suitable for biocontainment applications?
Thermo Scientific lists applicable F14-6x250y configurations with biocontainment certification. Proper lids, seals, approved labware, and laboratory procedures are still required for the specific biological material being processed.
What warranty does American Instrument Exchange include?
This pre-owned Thermo Scientific Fiberlite F14-6x250y rotor includes a 90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange.
