Laboratory Glassware Standards

Laboratory glassware is available in various material, Class and Types with differing properties. Soda-lime and borosilicate glass are most commonly used for laboratory glassware including beakers, tubes, flasks, bottles and jars etc.

Glassware Standards

There are a number of international standards used to define laboratory glassware which helps in choosing the most suitable glassware for your application, as seen in the table below. 

Standard 3.3 Expansion Borosilicate Glass 4.9 Expansion Borosilicate Glass (Clear) 5.4 Expansion Borosilicate Glass (Amber) 7.8 Expansion Soda-lime Glass (Amber) 9.1 Expansion Soda-lime Glass (Clear)
ASTM E-438 Type 1 Class A Type 1 Class B Type 1 Class B Type 2 Type 2
US Pharmacopoeia (USP) Type 1 Type 1 Type 1 Type 3 Type 3
European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Type 1 Type 1 Type 1 Type 3 Type 3

Type 1 Laboratory Glassware     Type 2 Laboratory Glassware     Type 3 Laboratory Glassware

There are also plastic labware products available that have been manufactured to these glassware standards, see Labware - Class A and Labware - Class B collections.

Chemical Composition

The chemical composition of the glass gives it its unique properties:

  • Expansion borosilicate glass - Very high resistance to attack from water, acids, salt solutions, halogens and organic solvents. Only hydrofluoric acid, hot concentrated phosphoric acid and strong alkaline solutions cause significant corrosion.

  • Neutral borosilicate glass - Excellent chemical resistance properties making it ideal for the storing or packaging of acidic, neutral and alkaline products and for injectable solutions.

  • Soda-lime glass - Less chemically resistant than borosilicate glass, typically suitable for storing dry powders and for general sample storage applications. This glass type has only moderate hydrolytic resistance.

Typical Chemical Composition (approx. % by weight):

Chemical

3.3 Expansion Borosilicate Glass

4.9 Expansion Borosilicate Glass (Clear)

5.4 Expansion Borosilicate Glass (Amber)

7.8 Expansion Soda-lime Glass (Amber)

9.1 Expansion Soda-lime Glass (Clear)

SiO2

80.60%

75.00%

70.00%

67.00%

69.00%

B2O3

13.00%

10.50%

7.50%

5.00%

1.00%

Na2O

4.00%

5.00%

6.50%

12.00%

13.00%

Al2O3

2.30%

7.00%

6.00%

7.00%

4.00%

CaO

-

1.50%

<1.0%

1.00%

5.00%

Fe2O3

-

-

1.00%

2.00%

-

TiO2

-

-

5.00%

-

-

K2O

-

-

1.00%

1.00%

3.00%

BaO

-

-

2.00%

<0.5%

2.00%

MnO2

-

-

-

5.00%

-

MgO

-

-

-

-

3.00%

Physical Properties - 3.3 expansion borosilicate glass

The conditions that laboratory glassware can withstand including chemical toughness, thermal expansion and resistance to thermal shock are key properties that make 3.3 expansion borosilicate glass the ideal material for use across the laboratory.

  • Hydrolytic Resistance

Important during steam sterilisation procedures, where repeated exposure to water vapour at high temperature can leach out alkali (Na+) ions. Borosilicate glass has a relatively low alkali metal oxide content and consequently possess a high resistance to attack from water.

  • Acid Resistance

Glass with a high percentage weight of silica is less likely to be attacked by acids. 3.3 Expansion borosilicate glass is over 80% silica and resistant to acids (with the exception of hot concentrated phosphoric acid and hydrofluoric acid). Glass is separated into 4 acid resistance classes and borosilicate glass corresponds to Class S1 in accordance with DIN 12116 and meets the requirements of ISO 1776.

  • Alkali Resistance

Alkaline solutions attack glass types and borosilicate glass can be classified as moderately resistant. The alkali resistance of borosilicate glass meets Class A2 requirements as defined by ISO 695 and DIN 52322.

  • Temperature Resistance

Pyrex is a 3.3 Expansion borosilicate glass and has excellent thermal properties at both high and low temperatures. The maximum recommended working temperature for laboratory glassware 3.3 expansion borosilicate glass is 500°C (for short periods of time only). Special care should be taken when heating or cooling to avoid sudden changes in temperature which can damage the glassware.

Physical Properties of Laboratory Glass

 Physical Properties 3.3 Expansion Borosilicate Glass 4.9 Expansion Borosilicate Glass (Clear) 5.4 Expansion Borosilicate Glass (Amber) 7.8 Expansion Soda-Lime Glass (Amber) 9.1 Expansion Soda-Lime Glass (Clear)
Coefficient of Expansion (20-300°C)  3.3x10-6K-1 4.9x10-6K-1 5.4x10-6K-1 7.8x10-6K-1 9.1x10-6K-1
Working Point  1252°C 1160°C 1165°C 1050°C 1040°C
Softening Point 821°C 785°C 770°C 720°C 720°C
Annealing Point 565°C 565°C 560°C 540°C 530°C
Transformation Temperature 525°C 565°C 550°C 535°C 525°C
Density @ 25°C 2.23Cg/cm-3 2.34Cg/cm-3 2.42Cg/cm-3 2.5Cg/cm-3 2.5Cg/cm-3
Hydrolytic Resistance
Acc. to ISO 719 Class HGB 1 Class HGB 1 Class HGB 1 Class HGB 2 Class HGB 3
Acc. to EP Type 1 Type 1 Type 1 Type 3 Type 3
Acc. to USP Type 1 Type 1 Type 1 Type 3 Type 3
Acid Resistance (DIN 12116) Class S1 Class S1 Class S1 Class S2 Class S1
Alkali Resistance (ISO 695) Class A2 Class A2 Class A2 Class A2 Class A2

 Glassware Available at ProSciTech:

WHEATON®

WHEATON® is a distinguished brand of premium container solutions for scientific, industrial and packaging applications. It is characterised by decades of experience in manufacturing and customisation of glass and plastic containers. The product offering is complemented by a range of instruments and apparatus as well as value added services like customer specific product configuration, cleaning and sterilisation

PYREX®

Pyrex glassware was originally developed over 100 years ago and today it is a name that is synonymous with quality. Its glassware is manufactured from borosilicate glass and is highly resistant to temperature changes, as well as chemical attack from many different acids, alkalis and solvents. These qualities make it ideal for even the most demanding lab environment.

HYBEX™

Glassware manufactured from high quality, borosilicate 3.3 glass. Superior temperature and chemical resistance ideal for the storage of reagents, culture media, biological fluids and many other aqueous and non-aqueous solutions. Autoclavable, reuseable & breakage resistant.