Common Types of Glass Used in Laboratory Glassware

Given how caustic chemicals and hazardous substances are commonly used in laboratory settings, it is only natural that the glassware used to contain them is made differently from flat glass, mirrored glass, and other well known styles. There are many types of glass used in lab glassware, each sporting its own strengths and advantages.

From tempered, toughened glass to annealed glass designed to resist heat, there is a wide range of different materials used when creating laboratory equipment. Here is an overview of five kinds of glass commonly used in beakers, tubes, and other glassware and why they are valued in lab settings.

Borosilicate Glass

Borosilicate glass is renowned for its superior resistance to thermal shock and its low coefficient of thermal expansion. This type of glass — which includes a mixture of silica and boron trioxide — is particularly adept at handling high temperatures and sudden changes in temperature. This makes it an ideal material for the production of laboratory glassware, such as boiling flasks and volumetric flasks.

This unique glass composition allows borosilicate glass to withstand the intense heat of chemical reactions and heating processes without cracking, a property that distinguishes it from ordinary glass found in common domestic and commercial settings. Its durability and resistance to chemical corrosion also contribute to its widespread use in both educational and professional laboratories.

Fritted Glass

Fritted glass refers to a specific type of glassware that incorporates a porous glass disc created by sintering together small particles of glass at high temperatures. This specialized glass is commonly used in laboratory settings for filtration and gas dispersion applications. The fritted disc acts as a filter medium, allowing liquids to pass while retaining solid particles or dispersing gasses through liquids.

Creating fritted glass involves carefully controlling the cooling process to ensure the glass cools slowly, reducing internal stresses and enhancing its strength. This process, combined with the unique physical properties of fritted glass, ensures reliability and longevity in demanding laboratory applications.

Soda Lime Glass

Soda lime glass is one of the most common types of glass, from windows and bottles to some types of laboratory glassware like petri dishes and test tubes. This glass type is made primarily from sodium carbonate, lime, and silica. Soda lime glass is chosen for its cost-effectiveness and versatility but has a lower melting point compared to other materials, making it less resistant to thermal shock. 

However, it is easy to manufacture through the float process and can be processed into safety glass forms, such as laminated glass and tempered glass. This makes soda lime suitable for a wide range of applications where a large number of equipment is needed. Its physical properties allow for the creation of various glass products, including frosted glass, coated glass, and tinted glass.

Quartz Glass

Quartz glass, also known as fused silica, stands out for its exceptional purity and high resistance to thermal shock, making it suitable for laboratory glassware exposed to extreme temperatures. This type of glass is made almost entirely of silicon dioxide (SiO2) and can withstand extremely high temperatures without deforming.

Additionally, quartz glass’s high thermal strength and low thermal expansion coefficient allow for precise control in high-temperature applications, such as in the production of optical fibers and specialized laboratory equipment like crucibles and optical components. Quartz glass is transparent to ultraviolet light, and its resistance to chemical corrosion also makes it invaluable in numerous applications.

Phosphate Glass

Phosphate glass differs from other glass types due to its unique glass composition, which includes phosphorus pentoxide in addition to the usual silica base. This type of glass is used in specialized laboratory glassware where high ultraviolet transmission is required or where glass needs to be doped with certain metal oxides to alter its physical or optical properties. 

While phosphate glass is less resistant to chemical corrosion than other materials, it does resist hydrofluoric acid. The manufacturing process of phosphate glass allows for the inclusion of various dopants, enabling a wide range of applications beyond laboratory glassware, including laser technology and optical fibers, where control over the passage of light and other electromagnetic radiation is needed.

Reach Out to At-Mar Glass Today for Custom Glassware

At-Mar Glass is dedicated to supplying laboratories across countless industries with the custom glassware they need for their processes. In addition to creating special apparatuses, we also offer repairs for cracked and damaged glass. Contact us today for further information on our custom glassware services.