There are two types of glass which are most commonly used in engineering applications due to their mechanical and chemical properties. Tempered glass is glass that has been heated to very high temperatures and then cooled quickly in a process called "quenching". This gives tempered glass much better mechanical properties such that tempered glass is around 4 times stronger than regular glass [2]. Tempered glass has excellent impact resistance and can also maintain its mechanical properties at high temperatures, up to around 250°C [1]. Tempered glass will not shatter into large shards but instead break into tiny pieces which do not fly around everywhere and cause damage. Borosilicate glass is another type of glass which can be treated with heat to improve its strength. Borosilicate glass is more common due to better chemical and mechanical properties compared to tempered glass, but cannot be tempered due to its lower coefficient of expansion.
Borosilicate glass has many benefits, including its resistance to thermal expansion, chemical durability, and high melting point. It is also a clear glass, ideal for many applications where transparency is essential.
In the early 20th century, German chemist Otto Schott invented Borosilicate glass. Schott was searching for a way to improve the durability of glass. And he discovered that adding boric oxide to the glass would help. Boric oxide is a white powder derived from boron, a naturally occurring element. When added to glass, it can primarily improve glass performance. Borosilicate glass also has excellent chemical durability resisting most acids and bases.
Today, borosilicate glass is manufactured by many different companies. And it is a versatile material used in many various applications.
Some well-known companies that produce borosilicate glass include Pyrex, Bomex, Duran, and Kugelhopf. Pyrex is perhaps the most famous brand of borosilicate glass. Their dishes are popular for cooking and baking. Bomex mainly produces laboratory-grade borosilicate glass, often used for scientific experiments and medical procedures.
One of the most popular applications of borosilicate glass is prefilled syringe. The syringe is filled with medication before use. It eliminates the need for health care providers to measure out each dose themselves. A clear barrel of the syringe allows for easy viewing of the contents of the syringe. Prefilled glass syringes are widely used in vaccines, biological drugs, and insulin packaging.
Borosilicate glass is also used in cookware, bakeware, and kitchen utensils such as ovenware, teapots, coffee pots, and roasting pans. It is a popular choice for these applications because it is durable and withstands high temperatures.
Other common uses for borosilicate glass include:
Many artists also use borosilicate glass to create sculptures and other works of art. The glass can be heated and shaped into a variety of forms. It is also resistant to breakage, making it a good choice for art on display.
Borosilicate glass has several advantages, including its high resistance to thermal shock. This means that it can withstand sudden changes in temperature without shattering. Borosilicate glass also has a higher melting point than regular glass. It is ideal in applications where heat is a factor. Besides, borosilicate glass is less likely to shatter when exposed to sudden changes in pressure. So it is suitable for use in vacuum chambers and other high-pressure environments. Finally, borosilicate glass is a more clear glass than ordinary glass.
Borosilicate glass has a few disadvantages also. First, it is more expensive than regular glass. Second, borosilicate glass is more difficult to work with, so it is less suitable for applications where precision is not as important. Finally, borosilicate glass can be scratched more quickly, making it less ideal for use in high-traffic areas.
A qualified medicine bottle must withstand thermal shock resistance and falling resistance. There will be no glass particles exudate to contaminate the medicine during transportation.
In medicinal glass, there is an important parameter called water resistance. It refers to the amount of alkali precipitated per unit mass of glass under specific conditions. The less alkali precipitated the higher the water resistance grade. And it’s safer and more reliable for the medicine in the glass container.
Glass containers used in medicine can be divided into Type I, Type II, Type III, and Type IV. The smaller the number, the higher the quality.
From the point of view of raw glass materials, type I glass material is called boron silicon. As the name implies, it contains boron and silicon, also called “borosilicate glass.” The materials used for type 2, 3, and 4 glass are sodium calcium silicate. Type I Borosilicate glass is of the highest quality.
Therefore, borosilicate glass syringes are the best packaging for biological medicines, blood preparations, and vaccines.