vial

A vial is a small container, often cylindrical, made of glass or plastic, designed to hold a measured amount of liquid or sometimes solid substances. Vials are equipped with some form of closure, such as a rubber stopper with a crimped aluminum seal, a screw cap, or a snap cap, to preserve sterility and prevent leakage.

Materials and variants include clear or amber glass, borosilicate glass for chemical resistance, and various plastics such as PET, polypropylene, or polycarbonate. Amber glass is commonly used for light-sensitive contents. Vials come in single-use and multi-use designs, and in sizes ranging from a few tenths of a milliliter up to several tens of milliliters. In laboratory and medical settings, vials may be sterile and designed for autoclaving or other sterilization methods.

Common uses encompass pharmaceutical packaging for injectable drugs, vaccines, serums, and laboratory samples; cosmetic products such as serums and essential oils; and research reagents or cultures. A distinction is often made between vials and ampoules: vials have a stopper and closure that can be resealed, while ampoules are usually opened by breaking a neck seal.

Design considerations focus on preserving content integrity, chemical compatibility, and user safety. Regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical and medical vials address sterility, labeling, tamper-evidence, and batch traceability. Proper disposal and handling are important, particularly for single-use vials containing hazardous or biohazardous materials.