A Quick Guide to Glass Types and Other Specifications for Chemical Use

Glass is indeed a popular packaging material in the industry and companies rely on it heavily for chemical uses.



This is why it’s important to understand the varieties available and the various uses they offer.
While some glass containers are required to have high thermal shock resistance, others need to have high hydrolytic resistance.
The expectations from packaging vary with a change in the chemical products that need to be packaged in them.

Typical Composition

Following is a table that briefly sums up the typical composition of glass in each type.


Type III
Type II
Type I

Drinkable
Injectable
Injectable

Silicium sio2
70 %
70 %
65-72 %
Soda  Na2O
15 %
15 %
5-9 %
Limestone cao
10 %
10 %
0-4 %
Borax B2O3
-

14 %
Overige
5%
5%
8-13 %
Amber glass: The addition of iron oxide (Fe2O3) enables glass to get its distinct color.

Classification of Glass Chemical Containers

You read above that some glass types have high hydrolytic resistance. That begs the question: what is hydrolytic resistance?
It refers to the ability of glass containers to resist the release of soluble mineral substances upon contact with water. The only way to measure the hydrolytic resistance of glass is through the titration of released alkalis.
After conducting these tests, the three types of glass can be ranked as such:
· Type I: high hydrolytic resistance because of the chemical composition of glass.
· Type II: high hydrolytic resistance because of the treatment of the inner surface.
· Type III: moderate hydrolytic resistance

Characteristics of Glass


· Resistant to thermal shock
· Resistant to heat
· Impermeable to gas
· Easily sterilized and depyrogenated 
· Transparent or tinted
· Dimensionally stable
· Suitable for pharmaceutical use
· Chemically inert
· Hydrolytic resistance

Surface Treatments

Glass surfaces can be treated for better performance in pharmaceutical use or for packaging strong chemicals. The exterior surface can be treated to reduce abrasion and friction. Metallic oxide deposition and the application of a layer of lubricant helps achieve this.

The interior surface can be improved for better hydrolytic resistance. This can be done using interdiffusion of sodium ions and reaction with sulfate to form sodium sulfate.
The deposit left behind after the treatment must be washed out before packaging products in the container.

Are you looking for glass containers that are safe for chemical use?

Premium Vials offers a wide collection of wholesale packaging solutions such as glass vial bottles and pump bottles on discounted prices for packaging chemical products. 

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