Types of Glass Laboratory Operations Review 28
TYPE CHARACTERISTICS
Borosilicate glass
(Kimax, Pyrex)
Aluminosilicate glass (Corex)
Boron free
High silica
Flint glass
Low actinic
High resistance to thermal shock & chemical attack. Heavy walls to minimize breakage. Used for
most beakers, flasks, & pipets. Minimal contamination of liquids by elements in glass. Can be heated
& autoclaved.
6 times stronger than borosilicate. Better able to resist clouding due to alkali & scratching.
Used for highly alkaline solutions. Alkali resistant. Poor heat resistance.
Heat, chemical, & electrical tolerance. Excellent optical properties. Used for high-precision analytic
work, optical reflectors, mirrors.
Soda-lime glass containing oxides of sodium, silicon, & calcium. Least expensive but poor resistance
to high temp & sudden changes of temp. Only fair resistance to chemicals. Can release alkali & affect
some determinations. Used for some disposable glassware.
Amber or red. Used to ↓exposure to light, e.g., bilirubin standards.
