Comparison of methods to verify the calibration status of pipettes

Abstract

Calibration of a 5 mL graduated pipette is performed using two methods. In the traditional way, a calibration volume of (5.0475 ± 0.0103) mL is obtained, while from the regression the calibration volume is (5.042 ± 0.012) mL. The values were statistically compared with the algorithm described in the Miller and Miller bibliography, obtaining that the uncertainties are statistically equal between the two methods; however, the mean value is not. Given that the proposed procedure to calibrate the volumetric material from linear regression presents fewer sources of uncertainty, we could conclude that the second method is more reliable.