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Borosilicate Glass Excels in Tough Applications

Borosilicate glass can withstand elevated temperatures, thermal shocks, chemical corrosion, and mechanical stress. Learn more here.

Borosilicate Glass Excels in Tough Applications

Borosilicate glass is the best material when you need something that can withstand elevated temperatures, thermal shocks, chemical corrosion, and mechanical stress. This type of glass is unlike ordinary glass; it has some unique properties that make it ideal for various industrial and scientific applications. This article will explain what borosilicate glass is, how it is made, and why it is used in different fields and sectors.

Borosilicate glass is used to fabricate labware because it can withstand more extreme temperatures.
Borosilicate glass is more heat resistant than other forms of glass. Therefore, it doesn’t crack under extreme temperature changes like regular glass.

What is Borosilicate Glass?

Borosilicate glass contains silica (sand) and boron trioxide as the main glass-forming constituents. Boron trioxide is the key ingredient that gives it a low coefficient of thermal expansion, which means it does not expand or contract much when exposed to heat or cold. This makes borosilicate glass more resistant to thermal shock than other common materials. Thermal shock is the cracking or shattering of glass due to sudden temperature changes.

It also has a high melting point (about 1650°C or 3000°F) and a high chemical resistance. It does not react with most acids, bases, organic substances, or water. Plus, it is tough and durable, making it less prone to scratches or breakage.

German glassmaker Otto Schott was the first to develop borosilicate glass in the late 19th century. He named his product “Duran” and later founded the company, Schott AG. Other trade names for this material include Pyrex, Borosil, Simax, Kimax, and NIPRO.

Borosilicate glass is heated by the glassblower using a torch to over 1,500 degrees.
Borosilicate glass is a common type of glass used in glassblowing. Glassblowers use a torch to heat the glass to over 1,500 degrees.

How is Borosilicate Glass Made?

Borosilicate glass is made by combining and melting boric oxide, silica sand, soda ash, and alumina. Soda ash lowers the melting point of the mixture, while alumina increases its viscosity and strength. The proportion of boric oxide in borosilicate glass ranges from 12% to 15%, depending on the desired properties and applications.

The molten glass is then shaped into different forms using various methods such as floating, tube drawing, or molding. Floating involves pouring the molten glass onto a bath of molten tin, where it spreads into a thin sheet. Tube drawing involves pulling a hollow tube of molten glass through a die or nozzle. Molding involves pressing or blowing the molten glass into a mold or cavity.

The final product is then annealed or cooled slowly to relieve any internal stresses and prevent cracking. The annealing temperature for borosilicate glass is about 560°C (1040°F).

An array of borosilicate labware, ICP torches, and x-ray bulbs.
Borosilicate glass is used to make lab items such as beakers, flasks, kettles, test tubes, and ground joints. It is also used in medical equipment, such as bulbs for X-ray machines, laser components, and even cookware.

Why is Borosilicate Glass Used?

Borosilicate glass has many advantages over regular soda-lime glass, which accounts for 90% of manufactured glass worldwide. Soda-lime glass is cheaper and easier to produce, but it has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion (about 9 x 10^-6 K^-1), which makes it susceptible to thermal shock and cracking. It also has a lower melting point (about 1400°C or 2550°F), a lower chemical resistance, and a lower hardness.

Borosilicate glass, on the other hand, has a very low coefficient of thermal expansion (about 3 x 10^-6 K^-1), which allows it to withstand temperature changes of up to 170°C (340°F) without fracturing. It also has a high chemical resistance, which prevents leaching or contamination of the contents. It also has a high hardness, which protects it from scratches or abrasions.

Master glassblower inspects his work on a custom condenser.
Master glassblower inspects his work on a custom condenser.

Where Would I Find Borosilicate Glass?

Borosilicate glass is often used in laboratories because it can withstand extreme temperatures and is more affordable than quartz. It can withstand temperatures up to 700° C (1,300° F), while quartz can withstand temperatures over 1,100° C (2,000° F). Borosilicate glass is also more resistant to chemicals and is stronger than regular glass.
As a result, it is often used in:
  • Laboratory glassware
  • Cooking utensils
  • Industrial applications
  • Applications where it is subjected to high and low temperatures
  • Applications where it is used with corrosive chemicals like sulfuric acid
  • Applications where it is heated with sodium hydride to produce sodium borohydride
In addition, borosilicate glass is known for its good optical clarity.
Borosilicate glass rod being manipulated into a glass coil.
A borosilicate glass rod is being manipulated into a glass coil.

Types of Applications that Benefit

These properties make borosilicate glass suitable for various applications that require high performance and reliability. Some examples are:

Industrial

Borosilicate glass is used for components that are exposed to high temperatures, pressures, or corrosive environments, such as pipes, valves, reactors, heat exchangers, sight glasses, gauges, seals, gaskets, and sensors. In addition, it can withstand mechanical stress and vibration without breaking or deforming.

Safety

In addition, this material is at times used for safety glasses to protect the eyes from heat, sparks, or debris. It is also works well for fire-resistant windows and doors that can prevent the spread of flames or smoke in case of fire.

Borosilicate glass syringes line up for inspection.
Borosilicate glass syringes line up for inspection.

Medical

Borosilicate glass is used for medical devices and equipment that must be sterilized or autoclaved without compromising integrity or functionality. Examples include syringes, vials, ampoules, pipettes, test tubes, flasks, beakers, petri dishes, slides, cuvettes, catheters, implants, prosthetics, and dental products.

Science

Scientific instruments and apparatus that perform accurate measurements or experiments under extreme conditions benefit. Examples include thermometers, barometers, hydrometers, refractometers, spectrophotometers, microscopes, telescopes, lasers, lenses, prisms, mirrors, and optical fibers.

Security guard monitoring modern CCTV cameras from the safety of an office..
Security guard monitoring CCTV cameras from the safety of an office..

Surveillance

Borosilicate glass is used for cameras and lenses that need to capture clear images or videos in low-light or high-contrast situations. It is also used for infrared or night-vision devices that can detect heat or movement in the dark.

Transportation

This material is used for headlights, taillights, signal lights, and brake lights that are needed to withstand elevated temperatures and vibrations without cracking or fading. It is also used for windshields, windows, and mirrors that help to resist impact or shattering in case of collision or accident.

Aviation

Borosilicate glass is used for cockpit windows and instruments that need to endure high altitudes, pressures, and speeds without fogging or distorting. It is also used for navigation and communication devices that need to transmit or receive signals without interference or loss of quality.

Satellites can also benefit from different types of scientific glass. This one is high above earth as the sun rises.
Satellites can also benefit from different types of scientific glass.

Space

This material is used for spacecraft windows and components needed to survive extreme temperatures, pressures, and radiation in outer space. It is also used for satellites and telescopes that allow observation and exploration of the universe without distortion or degradation.

Refineries

Borosilicate glass is used for distillation columns and vessels that separate and purify different substances without contamination or corrosion. Sensors and indicators that monitor and control the temperature, pressure, flow, level, and composition of the fluids also use this glass.

Pharmaceutical

Containers and packaging that use it to store and transport drugs and vaccines do so without affecting their quality or potency. It is also used for filters and membranes that remove impurities or microorganisms from liquids.

Protection

Bulletproof windows and shields that can stop or deflect bullets or projectiles without cracking or shattering can do so because of this material. It is also used for radiation shields that block or absorb harmful rays or particles without melting or degrading.

A human works from behind safety glass with a robot that controls an army of robotic arms.
A human works from behind safety glass with a robot that controls an army of robotic arms.

Robotics

Sensors and actuators of borosilicate glass detect and respond to stimuli without malfunctioning or overheating. Joints and connectors that need to move and rotate without friction or wear also use it.

Technology

Screens and displays that need to show clear and bright images or texts without glare or reflection use borosilicate glass. Touchscreens and keyboards also use it to register touch or pressure without scratching or breaking.

As you can see, it has a wide range of applications in various fields and sectors. It is a superior material that can meet the demands of modern technology and innovation. If you are looking for a glass product that can offer you durability, reliability, and performance, you might want to choose this material.

X-ray bulbs custom made at Presicion Electronic Glass.
X-ray bulbs are custom-made at Precision Electronic Glass.

Borosilicate Glass at PEG

Borosilicate glass contains boron trioxide, making it more resistant to thermal shock, chemical corrosion, and mechanical stress. It combines boric oxide, silica sand, soda ash, and alumina. In addition, it has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, a high melting point, a high chemical resistance, and a high hardness. Various industrial and scientific applications employ it to meet high performance and reliability needs.

As you can see, borosilicate glass is important in many industries. If you would like to explore this as a material for your professional needs, please visit Pegglass.com. We offer a wide selection of high-quality components as well as custom work at affordable prices. You can also contact us if you have any questions or inquiries about our products or services.