Laboratory benches are mainly structured in steel-wood, all-steel, PP and other types. A laboratory is a place for conducting various experiments. If the laboratory bench is made of inferior materials, it may not affect experimental work and progress in the early stage. However, problems will emerge in the long run. Poor bench material quality will lead to unsatisfactory experimental conditions and eventually hinder experimental progress.
Steel-wood and all-steel are the two mainstream types of laboratory benches on the market. The following compares their advantages and applicable scenarios.
1. Price
Steel-wood laboratory benches have a cost advantage and are generally priced lower than all-steel laboratory benches.
2. Features
Steel-wood laboratory benches allow easy cleaning. Their wooden cabinets are reserved with a certain gap from the ground instead of direct contact with the floor.
All-steel laboratory benches feature a grand and aesthetic appearance, along with excellent load-bearing performance.
3. Materials and Structure
Steel-Wood Laboratory Bench
It adopts a steel frame combined with an all-wood cabinet body. The support frame is treated with phosphating and then coated with epoxy resin paint. The cabinet body is generally made of high-density fiberboard.
All-Steel Laboratory Bench
The whole bench is formed by bending, painting and assembling cold-rolled steel plates. The cabinet body is made of cold-rolled steel plates that undergo phosphating treatment followed by epoxy resin spray coating. It is available in floor-standing, suspended cabinet and movable cabinet structures.
Except for the countertop, all auxiliary materials of the all-steel central laboratory bench adopt high-quality cold-rolled steel plates with a thickness of no less than 1.0 mm. They are shaped through processes such as bending, punching and overlap welding. Afterwards, the plates go through pickling, neutralization, phosphating and polishing, followed by high-quality epoxy resin electrostatic powder spraying for rust and corrosion resistance. All-steel laboratory furniture is sturdy, durable and has superior load-bearing capacity.
How to Select a Laboratory Bench
Laboratory benches are common workstations in laboratories, mainly used for placing experimental instruments and conducting experimental operations. Given their importance, the following points should be noted when purchasing laboratory benches.
A laboratory bench is professional equipment used for experimental testing and instrument storage in hospitals, schools, chemical plants, scientific research institutes and other institutions.
By placement, it is divided into central laboratory bench, side laboratory bench and corner bench.
By material, it is classified into all-steel, steel-wood, all-wood, PP and aluminum-wood types (aluminum-wood type is basically phased out now).
There are also supporting tall cabinets in laboratories, including fume hoods, reagent cabinets, ware cabinets, gas cylinder cabinets, explosion-proof cabinets, slide cabinets and so on.
Selection Tips for Laboratory Benches
1.Choose formal laboratory furniture manufacturers with good reputation. Well-regulated manufacturers ensure standardized production and reliable product quality.
2.Check whether the side laboratory bench has a pungent or eye-irritating odor; strong odors usually indicate excessive formaldehyde emission.
3.Require manufacturers to provide environmental protection test reports of materials and raw material qualification certificates, which are key criteria for judging product compliance.
4.Check whether the four edges of the bench panel are fully edge-sealed. Unsealed boards will release large amounts of formaldehyde and are not recommended for purchase.
5.Place newly purchased laboratory benches in a well-ventilated area for a period of time before formal installation and use.
