10

Technical
Information

Technical
Information

Technical
Information

PYREX

brand borosilicate glass

1. Composition
2. Viscosity
3. Physical Property
4. Thermal Property
5. Mechanical Property
6. Electrical Property
7. Optical Property
8. Chemical Property
9. Mechanical Strength of Internal Pressure

VOLUMETRIC GLASSWARE
1. Testing of Volume
2. Volume Tolerance
3. Color Coding

SERVICE
CARE and MAINTENANCE of LABORATORY GLASSWARE

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Technical
Information

PYREX

brand borosilicate glass

PT. IWAKI GLASS INDONESIA manufacture
Laboratory Glassware use PYREX brand borosilicate glass.

1. Composition
Composition

Percentage
Approx

PYREX brand borosilicate glass is characterized by low

coefficient of linear thermal expansion and high thermal shock
resistance, because Na2O and K2O contents are low while it
contains high B2O3.
Abrasion as well as scratch and squeeze hardness is also
excellent. Due to its superior melting technique. PYREX brand
borosilicate glass does not require fluxing agents and,
therefore, neither bubble nor coloring appear even during
fabrication process by gas.

Table 1 Composition

Chemical composition is given in Table 1.

SiO2

80.90%

AI2O3

2.30%

Fe2O3

0.03%

B2O3

12.70%

Na2O

4.03%

K2O

0.04%

2. Viscosity
Glass has an infinite viscosity under normal temperature and will deform only at temperature which approaches its
strain points. Its viscosity normally between 1015 ~ 1012 poises. Viscosity is one of characteristic properties for
measuring glasses.

Table 2
Viscosity

Table 2 shows viscosity of PYREX brand borosilicate glass and figure 1 shows Viscosity temperature curve.

Working
Point

Softening
Point

Annealing
Point

Strain
Point

Viscosity

104 poises

107.6 poises

1013 poises

1014.5 poises

Temperature

1,252 0C

821 0C

560 0C

510 0C

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Information

16

14

Log10 Viscosity1 Poises

Figure 1. Viscosity/ Temperature Curve

Strain Point
Annealing Point

12

10
Softening Point
8

6
Working Point
4

2
400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

Temperature 0C

Description

Table 3 Physical Property

3. Physical Property
Remarkable point of PYREX brand
borosilicate glass is low coefficient of linear
thermal expansion, as shown in table 3. It is
also one of characteristic properties that
density is low, compared with metal and
soda lime glass.

1,600

Value

Specific heat (25 0C)

0.17 cal/g.0C

Average (25 0C - 400 0C)

0.233 cal/g.0C

Thermal conductivity (25 0C)

0.0026 cal/cm.sec. 0C

Thermal conductivity (100 0C)

0.0030 cal/cm.sec. 0C

Linear coefficient of expansion

(0 0C ~ 300 0C)
Density

32.5 x 10-7 / 0C

2.23 g/cm3

13

Technical
Information

14

Expression of thermal stress

(1)
th = _____
2(1-)

kg/cm2

th : Thermal stress
E

: Youngs module

kg/cm2

: Linear expansion coefficient

1/ oC

: Temperature difference

: Poisson ratio

4. Thermal Property
Glass normally fails as a result of sudden cooling or heating. The surface of glass is subjected to tensile stress during
cooling and compression stress during heating. Failure often results from the tensile component of stress, even when
the load is applied in comperssion. Glass is much stronger under compressive loads than under tensile loads.
The reason being that tensile stress applied on the surface of glass becomes stronger than maximum strength of glass.
As shown on formula (1) the lower the coefficient of thermal expansion, the higher the thermal resistance. Hence ,
PYREX brand borosilicate glass is strong and durable against thermal shock. In general, thermal endurance of glass
defends on form, condition of finishing, etc. Figure 2 shows rates of linear expansion coefficient and temperature
difference in thermal stress for 3 different wall thicknesses of glass plates.
1,000

(a) 150 mm x 150 mm x 3mm

(a) 150 mm x 150 mm x 3mm

900
800
700
600

(a) 150 mm x 150 mm x 3mm

500

400

300

Soda Lime
Glass

200

Vycor

100
90
80
70
60

PYREX borosilicate
Glass

Temperature Difference in Thermal Stress (0C)

Figure 2. Thermal Shock Resistance

1,000

50
40
30

20

10
5.5 8.5

20

32.5

40

60

80

100
-7

Linear Expansion Coefficient [X10 /C]

120

Technical
Information

5. Mechanical Property
Fracture occurs at the maximum point of tension. The
theoretical Strength of glass is 200,000 kg/cm2. However,
breaking strength is commonly found to occur at tensile
strength of about 500kg/cm3, because of surface scratch
and thermal stress formation when designing glass
components, or during fabrication and transportation, etc.
Thus glass breakages are very much dependent on

Table 4 Mechanical Properties

Youngs Module

6.4 x 105 kg/cm2

Poissons Ratio

0.20

Shear Modules

2.7 x 105 kg/cm2

Knoop Hardness (100 g)

418 KHN

Bending Strength

4~7 x 102 kg/cm2

Design Stress (Safety factor)

67 kg/cm2

- Method of production
- Method of fabrication
- Method of heat treatment
- Actual usage and care
PYREX formulates glass components with the
consideration of safety measures of several folds. PYREX
borosilicate glass is stronger than commercial glass,
because of its mechanical strength which prevents surface
scratch.
Table 4 shows the mechanical properties of PYREX
borosilicate glass

6. Electrical property
13

Glass is widely used in the electrical industry as

insulator, lamp and parts for electronic tube, etc.
PYREX brand borosilicate glass has a large
dielectric power, high volume resistance, high
surface resistance and a smooth solid surface.

cm)

12

Volume Resistivity (log10

Figure 3.
Volume Resistivity vs Temperature of Glass

14

11
10
9

It also has a low dielectric loss without carbonizing

by action of arc and conductivity.

8
7

Figure 3, 4, 5 show the characteristic of electrical

properties and table 5 indicates the detailed
property data.

6
5
4
0

100

200

300

400

500
0

Temperature of Glass ( C)

600

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Technical
Information

%
Dielectric Constant (1MHZ)

Figure 5.
Dielectric Constant vs
Temperature of Glass

5.00

Dielectric Power Factor (1MHZ)

Figure 4.
Dielectric Power Factor vs Temperature

10.00

2.00
1.00
0.50
0.20
0.10
0.05

3
0

0.02

100

200

300

400
0

Temperature of Glass ( C)
0

100

200

300

Table 5 Electrical Properties

Temperature of Glass (0C)

Dielectric strength (Thickness 0.1 mm)

4,800kV/cm

Volume resistivity (log10) (25 C)

15 . cm
8.1 . cm
6.6 . cm

(250 C)
(350 C)
Dielectric power factor (1 MHz 20 C)

0.50 %

Dielectric constant

(1 MHz 20 C)

4.6

Dielectric loss

( 1MHz 20 C)

0.4 %

7. Optical Property
PYREX brand borosilicate glass can highly transmit light, due to use of refined materials containing a low percentage
of iron. Its Refractive Index (nD) is 1.474. Figure 6 shows spectral transmittancy.
Figure 6. Spectral Transmittancy of PYREX brand Borosilicate Glass
100

Percentage of Transmission (%)

Figure 6.
Spectral Transmittancy

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
200

240

280

320

360

400

Wave Length (nm)

440

480

1.25

1.75

2.25

2.75

3.25

3.75

4.25

4.75

Wave Length (nm)

Technical
Information

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8. Chemical Property
Chemical durability of glass means chemical resistance towards chemical attack. The surface of glass is constantly
under attack by moisture, carbonic acid gas,etc. from the air.
Durability is measured by the rate of resistance of glass to chemical corrosion. Corrosive amout of PYREX brand
borosilicate glass against acid material and distilled water is extremely low, compared with other glasses.
Following figures show weight loss of PYREX brand borosilicate glass.

a) Distilled water
Solubility of Alkali 0.06 ml
(100 0C, 1 hr, 300~500 particle test)
Weight loss of surface 0.001 mg/cm2 (100 0C , 6 Hrs)

b) Moisture (Weight loss of surface mg/ cm2)

Exposing
Time

HR
1/2

HR
1

HR
2

HR
3

HR
4

HR
6

HR
8

HR
12

1210C
(1.05kg/ cm2)

0.0075

0.0135

0.019

0.022

2240C
(1.05kg/ cm2)

0.043

0.076

0.124

0.176

0.202

c) Acid, Alkali (Weight loss mg/cm2)

5% HCl
24 Hrs 100 0C

5% NaOH
6 Hrs 99 0C

N/50 Na2CO3
6 Hrs 100 0C

0.0045

1.4

0.12

PYREX brand borosilicate glass is inert to almost all materials

with the exception of hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid and
hot strong caustic solutions. Hydrofluoric acid has the most
serious effect. However, the rate of attack of alkaline solution
is not excessive, if not highly concentrated and at the room
temperatur. The rate of attack increase as the temperature
exceeds 40 C.
Figure 7,8,9 and 10 show rates for both speed of corrosion by
NaOH and fluoric acid, and weight loss against alkali.

Technical
Information

18

20

8.0

Figure 7. Corrosion by NaOH Solution

48%

Speed of Corrosion (mm/year)

7.0

18

6.0

16

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0
0

20

40

60

80

100

10%

Speed of Corrosion (mm/year)

Figure 8. Corrosion by Fluroid Acid

5.0

14

12

10

Temperature (0C)
4
3%

2
1%

-20

20

40

60

80

100

0.5

0.2

1
0.5

0.2

Diluted NaOH
0.1
0.05

Weight loss (mg/cm2/50 hrs)

Figure 10. Durability vs Alkali

Weight loss (mg/cm /50 hrs)

10

Figure 9. Durability vs Alkali

Temperature (0C)

1000C

0.1
0.05

750C
0.02

650C

0.01
0.005

Water

510C

0.02

0.002

5% Nacl

400C
at 95%

0.01
8

10

11

PH

12

13

0.001
14

10

20

30

40

Concentration (%NaOH)

50

60

Technical
Information

9. Mechanical Strength of Internal Pressure

Mechanical strength of PYREX brand borosilicate glass tubes in various diameters and thicknesses at 250C calculated
from the following formula.

P=

1 - (d/D)2 .
1 + (d/D)2

: Mechanical strength of internal pressure (kg/cm2)

: Design stress (67 kg/cm2)

(The factor of average stress of cutting direction against inner wall of glass tube is considered to be twice)

: Inside diameter

: Outside diameter

80

30
6
7

20

10

ck
hi
lt

al
ss
ne

5
0.
(m

Mechanical Strength of Internal Pressure (kg/cm2)

40

Figure 11.
Mechanical strength of internal pressure of
PYREX brand borosilicate glass tubes

60

4
3
2

1
2

5 6

8 10

20

40

60

Outside Diameter of Tube (mm)

80 100

200

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Technical
Information

VOLUMETRIC
GLASSWARE

1. Testing of Volume (Conform to ISO

4787)
a. Unit Volume
The unit of volume shall be the cubic centimeter
(cm3) for milliliter (ml), the cubic decimeter (dm3) for
litre (l) and cubic millimeter (mm3) for microliter (l).

- Thermometer
A thermometer is required to measure the
temperature of the water. Its limit of error shall be
0.1 0C.
- Barometer
A barometer capable of providing atmospheric
pressure measurement. The barometer should
preferably have limits of error of 1 mbar (100 Pa).

b. Reference Temperature
The standard temperature of volumetric laboratory
ware is intended to contain or deliver its nominal
volume (nominal capacity) shall be 20 0C. When it is
necessary in tropical countries to work at an ambient
temperature considerably above 20 0C, and these
countries do not wish to use the standard reference
temperature of 20 0C, it is recommended that they
adopt a temperature of 27 0C.

- Water
Pure water, distilled or deionized water, suitable for
general laboratory purposes, shall be used

d. Factors affecting the accuracy

- Temperature of vessel
- Temperature of liquid
- Cleanliness of glass surface

c. Apparatus and Material

- Balance
A laboratory balance is required with sufficient
capacity to weight the loaded vessel. The balance
shall have discrimination not greater than 1/10 of
the limits of error of the instrument to be tested.
The balance shall have dimensions to accept the
size of the vessels which need to be weighed.

e. Setting of the meniscus

Most items of volumetric glassware employ the
principle of setting or reading a meniscus (the
interface between air and the liquid the volume of
which is being measured) against a reference line or
scale.

Technical
Information

Tare
The vessel to be tested, or a weighing bottle if a
vessel intended for delivery is to be tested, shall be
appropriately weighed, i.e. to an accuracy better
than 10% of the tolerance laid down.

Menicus
Graduation Line
Eye position

Filling
- Type In (e.g. Volumetric Flasks and Graduated
Cylinders)
The contained quantity of liquid correspond exactly
to the capacity indicated on the instrument
- Type Ex (e.g. Pipettes and Burettes)
Eye

The delivered quantity of liquid correspond exactly

to the capacity indicated on the instrument

Eye parallel with Meniscus

Eye

Eye not parallel with Meniscus

f. Testing Procedure
General
The vessel to be tested shall be cleaned and kept
filled with pure water until shortly before required.
Vessel adjusted to contain (Type In) shall then be
dried, for example by rinsing with ethanol and using
a current of warm air.
Vessel adjusted to deliver (Type Ex) shall be
appropriately cleaned.

Vessel adjusted to contain shall either be filled to a

distance of a few millimeters above the graduation
line to be tested; the final setting to the line shall be
made by withdrawing the surplus water by means of
a glass tube drawn down to a jet or, in the case of
pipettes adjusted to contain, by means of filter
paper.
Vessel adjusted to deliver shall be clamped in a
vertical position and filled to a few millimetres above
the graduation line to be tested; any liquid
remaining on the outside of the jet shall be
removed. The setting shall then be made by running
out the surplus water through the jet.
Weighing
The filled vessel or weighing bottle shall be weighed
and the temperature of the water shall be measured
using a thermometer graduated and accurate to
0.1 0C.

Temperature conditions
All test shall be carried out in a room, the
temperature of which is constant to at least 10C/h.

g. Calculation of volume
The general equation for calculation of the volume
at the reference temperature of 20 0C, V20, is as

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Technical
Information

V (20 0 C) = [IL - IE ] x [1/(w A ) ] x [1 ( A/ B ) ] x [ 1- (t- 20) ] ...(1)

Where:

IL is the balance reading of vessel with water, in

grams;

w is the density of water at 0C, in grams per

milliliter;

IE is the balance reading of empty vessel, in grams;

A is the density of air, in grams per milliliter;

is the coefficient of cubical thermal expansion of

the material, in reciprocal degrees celsius;

B is the density of the balance weights, in grams per

milliliter;

t is the temperature of the water used in testing, in

degrees celsius

2. Volume tolerance of Volumetric Ware

- Burettes (Conform to ISO 385)

- Graduated Pipettes (Conform to ISO 835)

Technical
Information

- One Mark Pipettes (Conform to ISO 648)

- One-Mark Volumetric Flask (Conform to ISO 1042)

200
2

-Graduated Measuring Cylinder (Conform to ISO 4788)

0.05

10

0.1

25

0.25

50

0.5

100

0.5

250

500

2.5

1000

2000

10

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Technical
Information

3. Color Coding
Pipettes Color Coding (Conform to ISO 1769)
- Coding System for one-mark pipettes

- Coding System for graduated pipettes

0.001

2 green

1 blue

0.005

1 red

1 orange

0.01

1 white

1 black

0.05

2 orange

2 red

0.001

2 blue

1 white

0.002

2 white

2 orange

0.01

1 black

2 green

0.1

1 orange

1 blue

0.005

1 green

1 black

0.01

2 yellow

10

1 red

0.02

2 red

15

1 green

0.05

2 black

20

1 yellow

0.25

2 green

25

1 blue

0.01

1 yellow

30

1 black

0.05

2 green

40

1 white

0.1

1 red

50

1 red

0.01

2 white

100

1 yellow

0.02

1 black

0.05

2 orange

0.1

1 green

0.05

1 red

0.1

1 blue

10

0.1

1 orange

20

0.1

2 yellow

25

0.1

1 white

0.2

1 green

0.1

2 orange

0.2

1 black

0.5

2 black

0.1

0.2

0.5

50

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Technical
Information

CARE and MAINTENANCE

of LABORATORY GLASSWARE

General Precautions
-

Never drink from any laboratory product to avoid

any possibility of personal injury of health hazard.

Do wear appropriate protective clothing, eg: lab

coats, face mask, gloves, etc when do any laboratory
activity.

Use chemical carefully. Glass will be attached by

hydrofluoric acid, hot phosphoric acid and strong
hot alkalis. So glass should never be used to contain
or to process these materials.

Do not use laboratory glassware that is etched,

scratched, chipped and cracked. That is prone to
breakage.

Do not use stirring rods with sharp ends when

stirring solutions in glass vessel to avoid scratch the
glassware. Or use Teflon rods to prevent scratching
the inside of vessel.

Do not mix sulfuric acid with water inside a cylinder.

The heat from the reaction can break the base of
cylinder.

Hold beakers, bottles, and flasks by the sides and

bottoms rather than by the tops. The rims of beakers
or necks of bottles and flask might break if used as
lifting points. Be especially careful with multiple neck
flask.

To avoid breakage while clamping glassware, use

coated clamps to prevent glass to metal contact, and
do not use excessive force to tighten clamps.

Heating and Cooling

-

Do not put hot glassware on cold or wet surface, or

cold glassware on hot surface. It may break with
temperature change.

Do not heat glassware that is etched, cracked,

nicked or scratched. Such defect reduce the thermal
strength, making the glassware more prone to
breakage.

Do heat vessels gently and gradually to avoid

breakage by thermal shock.

Glassware with thick walls such as bottles and jars

should not be heated over a direct flame or
comparable heat source.

Be sure to check laboratory and instruction manuals

when working with heat source.

Always use a hot plate larger than the vessels being

heated.

Adjust bunsen burner to get large soft flame. It will

heat slowly and more uniformly and use a wire
gauze with ceramic centre to diffuse the flame.

Technical
Information

Cleaning
-

Wash laboratory glassware as soon as possible after

use to avoid hard residues or it may become
impossible to remove the material remain. Use
biodegradable, phosphate free detergent for
laboratory use.

All glassware must be absolutely grease free. The

safest criteria of cleanliness is uniform wetting of the
surface by distilled water.

For precision chemical tests, new glassware should

be soaked several hours in acid water (1% solution
of hydrochloric acid or nitric acid) before washing.

Glassware which contaminated with blood clots,

must be sterilized before cleaning. It can best be
processed in the laboratory by placing it in a large
bucket or boiler filled with water, to which 1-2%
soft soap or detergent has been added, and boiled
for 30 minutes. The glassware can then be rinsed in
tap water, scrubbed with detergent, rinsed again.

Glassware which become unduly clouded or dirty or

contains coagulated organic matter, it must be
cleansed with chromic acid cleaning solution. The
dichromate should be handled with extreme care
because a powerful corrosive..

Handling and Storing

-

To prevent the breakage when rinsing or washing

pipettes, burettes or cylinder, not to let tips hit the
sink or the water tap.

Protect glassware from the dust by plugging with

cotton, corking, taping a heavy piece of paper over
the mouth or placing the glassware in a dust free
cabinets.

Dry glassware by hanging on wooden pegs or

placing in baskets with their mouth downward and

27