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What is Borosilicate Glass?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Borosilicate glass is a type of glass that includes at least 5% boric oxide. The boric oxide makes the glass resistant to extreme temperatures, and also improves its resistance to chemical corrosion. This glass is very popular in the manufacture of scientific instruments, and it was once widely used to make glass for kitchens as well. Today, soda-lime glass is the glass of choice for kitchenware, due to the fact that it is generally cheaper to produce.

Invention of borosilicate glass is generally credited to Otto Schott, a German glassmaker who worked in the 19th century. By the late 1800s, the process for making it had been refined, and in 1915, a famous line of borosilicate kitchen products was released under the Pyrex label. Because it is stronger and more durable than conventional glass, it has a number of far reaching uses.

A laboratory beaker of borosilicate glass.
A laboratory beaker of borosilicate glass.

This glass is not invincible, of course. It will crack if subjected to very sudden and radical temperature fluctuations, or if it is dropped. The glass is more likely to crack or snap than to shatter, however, making it safer to have around in a situation where breakage is a concern. In the event that products made with the glass do crack, it is generally easier and safer to clean up than shattered glass.

A borosilicate glass teapot.
A borosilicate glass teapot.

Borosilicate glass can handle both extreme heat and cold, making it very popular for laboratory glassware and other scientific instruments. It also has a reduced rate of thermal expansion, which can make it useful for things like telescopes and other high precision lenses where the surface of the lens must be very even to get a clear image.

The glass is also resistant to chemical corrosion, which can be extremely useful for experiments and chemical storage. Although all glass tends to be fairly chemical resistant, this variety is able to handle extremely volatile chemicals, along with nuclear waste.

In addition to being found in scientific labs, borosilicate glass can also be seen in windows, high-end lighting, cookware, and some other applications. As a general rule, products made with it will be more expensive than those made with ordinary glass, because these products require greater heat and more labor to produce.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AboutMechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AboutMechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon315136

Simax makes great borosilicate glass. Everyone should look them up. They are trying to break into the market in the United States.

I don't know if any of you know this, but there isn't actually a borosilicate glass sold in the States right now besides Simax.

anon266642

Thank you for 'to the point' information. It has made my decision on what to use for culturing yeast (for home brewing) much easier.

anon146706

Thank you for the information. It helped me with my "book of glass" that I´m doing for my school. very helpful.

anon87590

thank you very much. it helped so much.

anon55089

cab you please tell me what would cause it to break? For example, how hard would you have to hit it to break?

anon24065

thanks so much! :D this really helped me with my chemistry presentation due tomorrow. haha

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    • A laboratory beaker of borosilicate glass.
      By: red2000
      A laboratory beaker of borosilicate glass.
    • A borosilicate glass teapot.
      By: aleksandra_1981
      A borosilicate glass teapot.