INTERNATIONAL ISO

STANDARD 385

First edition
2005-04-15

Laboratory glassware — Burettes

Verrerie de laboratoire — Burettes
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Reference number
ISO 385:2005(E)

© ISO 2005
 ISO 385:2005(E)

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© ISO 2005
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 ISO 385:2005(E)

Contents Page

Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................ iv
1 Scope...................................................................................................................................................... 1
2 Normative references ........................................................................................................................... 1
3 Terms and definitions........................................................................................................................... 1
4 Basis of adjustment .............................................................................................................................. 2
4.1 Unit of volume ....................................................................................................................................... 2
4.2 Delivery volume..................................................................................................................................... 2
4.3 Reference temperature ......................................................................................................................... 2
5 Types and classes of accuracy ........................................................................................................... 2
5.1 Classes of accuracy.............................................................................................................................. 2
5.2 Types of burette .................................................................................................................................... 2
6 Maximum permissible errors ............................................................................................................... 2
7 Material................................................................................................................................................... 3
8 Construction .......................................................................................................................................... 3
8.1 Dimensions ............................................................................................................................................ 3
8.2 Top of burette ........................................................................................................................................ 4
8.3 Stopcocks and similar devices............................................................................................................ 4
8.4 Stopcock leakage.................................................................................................................................. 5
8.5 Delivery jet ............................................................................................................................................. 5
8.6 Delivery time .......................................................................................................................................... 5
8.7 Waiting time ........................................................................................................................................... 6
9 Graduation, figuring and patterns....................................................................................................... 6
9.1 Graduating patterns.............................................................................................................................. 6
9.2 Position of graduation lines................................................................................................................. 6
9.3 Marking of graduation lines ................................................................................................................. 6
10 Setting of the meniscus........................................................................................................................ 6
11 Markings................................................................................................................................................. 7
12 Visibility of graduation lines, numbers and inscriptions.................................................................. 7
Annex A (normative) Burettes for which no waiting time is specified.......................................................... 8
Annex B (normative) Burettes for which a 30 s waiting time is specified .................................................. 10
Bibliography ..................................................................................................................................................... 12
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 ISO 385:2005(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

ISO 385 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 48, Laboratory glassware and related apparatus,
Subcommittee SC 6, Laboratory and volumetric ware.

This first edition cancels and replaces ISO 385-1:1984, ISO 385-2:1984 and ISO 385-3:1984, which have
been technically revised and combined into one document.
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iv © ISO 2005 – All rights reserved

 INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 385:2005(E)

Laboratory glassware — Burettes

1 Scope
This International Standard provides metrological and construction requirements for an internationally
acceptable series of burettes, suitable for general laboratory purposes.

The details specified are in accordance with the principles of design and construction of volumetric glassware
given in ISO 384.

NOTE For piston burettes, see ISO 8655-3.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

ISO 384:1978, Laboratory glassware — Principles of design and construction of volumetric glassware

ISO 719, Glass — Hydrolytic resistance of glass grains at 98 °C — Method of test and classification

ISO 4787:1984, Laboratory glassware — Volumetric glassware — Methods for use and testing of capacity

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

3.1
delivery volume
volume of liquid discharged from a volumetric instrument, such as a burette

NOTE Due to retention of liquid on the inner surface of the volumetric instrument, the volume of liquid delivered is not
identical with the volume of liquid contained by the volumetric instrument.

3.2
delivery time
time required for the descent of the liquid meniscus from the zero line to the lowest graduation line of the
volumetric instrument

3.3
waiting time
time to be observed after apparent completion of the liquid delivery of the volumetric instrument and before
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the final reading of the delivered volume is taken

NOTE A waiting time applies for burettes Class AS (see 5.2).

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 ISO 385:2005(E)

4 Basis of adjustment

4.1 Unit of volume

The basic unit of volume shall be the millilitre (ml), which is equivalent to one cubic centimetre (cm3).

4.2 Delivery volume

Burettes shall be adjusted with water to deliver their volume (Ex), from the zero line to any graduation line, the
outflow being unrestricted until approaching the final position of the meniscus. For burettes with a waiting time
(Class AS), 30 s shall elapse before final setting of the meniscus.

4.3 Reference temperature

The standard reference temperature, i.e. the temperature at which the burette is intended to deliver its
nominal volume (nominal capacity), shall be 20 °C.

When the burette is required for use in a country which has adopted a standard reference temperature of
27 °C (the alternative recommended in ISO 384 for tropical use), this value shall be substituted for 20 °C.

5 Types and classes of accuracy

5.1 Classes of accuracy

Two classes of accuracy are specified:

 Class A (subdivided into Classes A and AS) for the higher grade;

 Class B for the lower grade.

5.2 Types of burette

The following two types of burette are specified:

 that for which no waiting time is specified (Classes A and B);

 that for which a waiting time of 30 s is specified (Class AS).

6 Maximum permissible errors

6.1 Errors in the delivered volume shall not exceed the limits given in Table 1. These limits represent the
maximum permitted error at any point on the scale, and also the maximum permissible difference between the
errors at any two points.
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 ISO 385:2005(E)

Table 1 — Capacities, subdivisions and maximum permissible error

Maximum permissible error

Nominal capacity Subdivision
Classes A and AS Class B
ml ml ml ml

1 0,01 ± 0,006 ± 0,01

2 0,01 ± 0,01 ± 0,02
5 0,01 ± 0,01 ± 0,02
5 0,02 ± 0,01 ± 0,02
10 0,02 ± 0,02 ± 0,05
10 0,05 ± 0,03 ± 0,05
25 0,05 ± 0,03 ± 0,05
25 0,10 ± 0,05 ± 0,10
50 0,10 ± 0,05 ± 0,10
100 0,20 ± 0,10 ± 0,20

6.2 If burettes are required with nominal capacities and/or subdivisions other than those listed in Table 1,
they shall conform to the essential requirements of this International Standard.

The relationships between maximum permissible error and capacity, as well as between maximum
permissible error and meniscus diameter as given in ISO 384:1978, Annex A and Annex B, shall be observed.

7 Material
Burettes shall be manufactured from glass of chemical resistance and thermal properties at least to HGB3 in
accordance with ISO 719, shall be as free as possible from visible defects, and shall be free from internal
stress. If the burette is of Schellbach tubing, the coloured stripe on the back of the burette shall be durable
and shall not exceed 40 % of the circumference of the tube.

NOTE The durability of coloured enamel stripes can be assessed by the test methods specified in ISO 4794.

Some components of burettes may be manufactured from, or have components manufactured from, suitable
inert materials such as ceramics or plastics (see 8.3).

8 Construction

8.1 Dimensions

Burettes may be supplied with an auto-zero device and liquid storage reservoir. In this case the overall length
of the burette when assembled to the reservoir should not exceed 1 050 mm.

Burettes not provided with such a filling device shall comply with the dimensional requirements shown in
Table 2.
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