Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Last updated
This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
Short answer: the spin settings for a blood sample depend on the tube, not on the centrifuge alone. Tube manufacturers state a relative centrifugal force (RCF, in x g), a time and a rotor type for each tube class, and the instructions for use (IFU) for the catalog number in hand are the authority. Who uses this: phlebotomy and clinical laboratory staff, laboratory managers and students who need to understand what the published settings mean and how to load a centrifuge safely.
What it means to centrifuge blood samples
To centrifuge a blood sample is to spin the filled collection tube so that cells, clot or gel barrier separate from serum or plasma. The instrument is described in what is a centrifuge, and the rotor that holds the tubes in what is a centrifuge rotor. For the tube itself, see serum separation tubes and red-top tube additives.
Why the tube type decides the settings
BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) publishes spin guidance in the FAQ on its Vacutainer product pages. The table lists what those pages state, as published; the numbers apply to the tube classes named and not to every tube on the market.
| Tube class (per BD) | Stated spin | Rotor type stated |
|---|---|---|
| Gel separator tubes (SST, PST) | Room temperature, 1000 to 1300 RCF for 10 minutes | Swinging bucket (15 minutes in a fixed-angle centrifuge) |
| Non-gel tubes, including heparin, EDTA and non-gel serum tubes | Up to 1300 RCF for 10 minutes | Not specified in the statement |
| Barricor (mechanical separator) | Minimum RCF of 1800 for 10 minutes; the page also states an optimal RCF of 4000 for 3 minutes | Swinging bucket only; not compatible with fixed-angle centrifuges |
Source: BD Vacutainer product pages (heparin tubes, SKU 366480, and specialty tubes, SKU 364816), read 2026-11-08. The Barricor statements appear as two figures on the pages, so use the IFU for the specific catalog number rather than either figure alone. The pages give no re-spin rule and no temperature other than room temperature for gel tubes, and this page states none.
RCF versus RPM
BD states its settings as RCF, which is the force on the sample. A centrifuge dial usually shows revolutions per minute (RPM), and the same RPM gives a different RCF in a rotor of a different radius. A setting copied as RPM from another instrument is therefore not equivalent to the published RCF; the rotor and the instrument manual determine the conversion.
Swinging-bucket versus fixed-angle rotors
The BD statement for gel tubes shows why rotor type matters: 10 minutes in a swinging-bucket centrifuge but 15 minutes in a fixed-angle centrifuge. Barricor tubes are stated as swinging-bucket only. Check the rotor type before choosing a program.
Balancing and loading
Texas A&M University Division of Research, in its Centrifuge Guidance (PDF dated June 2021, read 2026-11-08), states these general practices:
- Balance samples carefully and do not overfill tubes; a good rule of thumb is no more than two-thirds full.
- Centrifuge infectious biohazards in sealed rotors and safety cups. Sealed means intact O-rings or gaskets between lid and body, not only a lid.
- Load and unload rotors and safety cups inside a biological safety cabinet or another containment device.
- Stay with the centrifuge until it reaches the desired speed.
Safe handling and maintenance
The same guidance notes that centrifuges can create respirable-size particles that stay airborne, and that aerosol-generating procedures may be a source of laboratory-acquired infections. It advises the following.
- Inspect O-rings, seals and chamber gaskets before use and routinely, and lubricate as the manufacturer recommends.
- Inspect rotors and cups for cracks, damage and cleanliness.
- Do not use a rotor or cup that has been dropped; label damaged equipment “do not use”.
- Disinfect the interior and the rotor and cup surfaces after use.
Common mistakes
These follow directly from the sources above rather than from separate claims.
- Applying one setting to every tube, when the published settings differ by tube class.
- Using a fixed-angle rotor for tubes stated as swinging-bucket only.
- Treating RPM and RCF as interchangeable.
- Overfilling tubes or running an unbalanced load.
- Continuing to use a rotor or cup after it has been dropped.
FAQ
How long do you centrifuge blood samples?
BD states 10 minutes for gel tubes in a swinging-bucket centrifuge, 15 minutes in a fixed-angle centrifuge, and 10 minutes for non-gel tubes at up to 1300 RCF. Barricor tubes have their own published figures; see the table.
Which centrifuge is used for blood samples?
The rotor type is set by the tube: swinging bucket is stated for gel tubes and required for Barricor tubes, while fixed-angle is stated as possible for gel tubes with a longer spin. See the tube IFU.
Is a centrifuge for blood samples different from other centrifuges?
The published settings are tied to the collection tube and the rotor, not to a separate class of instrument. Biohazard samples call for sealed rotors or safety cups.
Why does a gel tube need a spin before testing?
The gel separator tubes (SST, PST) are made to separate serum or plasma from cells during centrifugation; see serum separation tubes. Lipaemic samples are covered in lipaemic specimens.
For related supplies, see the phlebotomy lab supply checklist.
Sources
- BD Vacutainer Heparin Tubes, SKU 366480: https://www.bd.com/en-us/products-and-solutions/products/product-page.366480 (read 2026-11-08)
- BD Vacutainer Specialty Tubes, SKU 364816: https://www.bd.com/en-ca/products-and-solutions/products/product-page.364816 (read 2026-11-08)
- Texas A&M University Division of Research, Centrifuge Guidance (June 2021): https://research.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/CentrifugeOperatonsAndSafetyJune2021.pdf (read 2026-11-08)
