Laboratory glass or plastic: choosing the material
In short
Select vessels for the sample, temperature, chemical contact and required measurement accuracy. Borosilicate glass is robust for many uses but not indestructible. Light practical plastics are not automatically compatible with every solvent or heat process.
Borosilicate glass
Borosilicate 3.3 has relatively low thermal expansion and suits many thermal applications. Scratches, damage and steep local temperature differences still matter. The material does not authorise heating every vessel in a flame or using it under pressure.
Soda-lime glass may suit simple tasks but has different properties. Transparency and colour alone do not establish thermal-shock resistance; use the specification.
PP and PE
Polypropylene and polyethylene are common plastics. Flexibility, density, temperature range and chemical resistance vary with polymer, formulation and product. A plastic pipette, cap and beaker are not interchangeable just because they are plastic.
A scale is not proof of precision
Beaker graduations often provide orientation. Accurate volumes need suitable measuring equipment and technique. Check nominal volume, tolerance, reference temperature and whether calibration refers to contained or delivered volume. More printed lines do not automatically mean better measurement.
Before use
Check chemical and thermal compatibility, absence of damage to rim, body and closure, suitability for mechanical loads, approved cleaning and adequate measurement performance.
Read pH testing and pipettes. Browse glassware. SCHOTT material data do not approve every finished vessel from another supplier.
Questions
- Is glass always more chemically resistant?
- No. Some substances attack glass; particular plastics may suit them better.
- Can laboratory vessels become kitchen containers?
- Do not repurpose used laboratory equipment for food or drinks. Keep the areas separate.
Read next
Using pH paper and reading colour scalespH paper estimates how acidic or alkaline a suitable aqueous sample is through colour change. Select the ran …Transfer pipettes: moving drops or measuring accurately?Simple transfer pipettes move small quantities where high accuracy is unnecessary. Printed graduations do no …Sources & further reading
General guidance for study and teaching. For your actual work, your safety briefing, hygiene plan, lab instructions and the product instructions apply. Legal information refers to Germany.
