Borosilicate glass is a type of glass that is composed of silica and boron oxide. It is known for its unique properties, including high thermal resistance, chemical durability, and low thermal expansion. These characteristics make borosilicate glass a popular choice in a wide range of applications, from laboratory equipment to consumer goods.
Properties of Borosilicate Glass:
Thermal Resistance: Borosilicate glass has a high resistance to thermal shock, which makes it ideal for use in applications where sudden temperature changes are expected. This property is due to the low coefficient of thermal expansion of borosilicate glass, which means that it will not expand or contract significantly when exposed to temperature changes.
Chemical Durability: Borosilicate glass is highly resistant to attack by acids, alkalis, and other corrosive substances. This makes it a popular choice in laboratory equipment and chemical processing applications, where it can be exposed to a wide range of corrosive chemicals.
Optical Clarity: Borosilicate glass has excellent optical properties, which makes it a popular choice in applications that require high optical clarity, such as in camera lenses, telescopes, and microscopes.
Electrical Insulation: Borosilicate glass is an excellent electrical insulator, which makes it ideal for use in electrical applications that require high insulation properties.
Uses of Borosilicate Glass:
Laboratory Equipment: Borosilicate glass is commonly used in laboratory equipment, such as beakers, test tubes, and flasks. Its high thermal resistance and chemical durability make it ideal for use in laboratory applications, where it can be exposed to corrosive chemicals and high temperatures.
Consumer Goods: Borosilicate glass is also used in a range of consumer goods, such as glass cookware, coffee makers, and water bottles. Its high thermal resistance and low thermal expansion make it ideal for use in these applications, as it can withstand sudden temperature changes without cracking or breaking.
Lighting: Borosilicate glass is commonly used in lighting applications, such as in halogen lamps and incandescent bulbs. Its high thermal resistance and excellent optical properties make it ideal for use in these applications, where it can withstand high temperatures and provide high optical clarity.
Aerospace and Defense: Borosilicate glass is also used in aerospace and defense applications, such as in missile guidance systems and cockpit displays. Its high thermal resistance and optical clarity make it ideal for use in these applications, where it can withstand high temperatures and provide high-quality imaging.
Advantages of Borosilicate Glass:
High Thermal Resistance: Borosilicate glass has a high resistance to thermal shock, which makes it ideal for use in applications where sudden temperature changes are expected.
Chemical Durability: Borosilicate glass is highly resistant to attack by acids, alkalis, and other corrosive substances, making it a popular choice in laboratory and chemical processing applications.
Low Thermal Expansion: Borosilicate glass has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, which means that it will not expand or contract significantly when exposed to temperature changes. This property makes it ideal for use in applications that require high thermal stability.
Excellent Optical Properties: Borosilicate glass has excellent optical properties, which makes it ideal for use in applications that require high optical clarity, such as in camera lenses and telescopes.
Propeties
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion a [20-300 °C/68-572 °F | 3.25 x 10-6 K-1 | Acid Resistance | [ISO 1776] 1 |
| Specific Heat Capacity Cp [20-100 °C/68-212 °F] | 0.83 kJ/(kg x K) | Alkali Resistance | [ISO 695] A2 |
| Thermal Conductivity l [90 °C/194 °F] | 1.2 W/(m x K) | Hydrolytic Class | [ISO 719] HGB 1 |
| Softening Point [107.6 dPas] | 820 °C/1508 °F | [ISO 720] HGA 1 | |
| Annealing Point [1013 dPas] | 560 °C/1040 °F | ||
| Strain Point [1014.5 dPas] | 518 °C/964 °F | ||
| Transformation Temperature Tg | 530 °C/986 °F |
| Dielectric Constant er [at 25 °C and 1MHz] | 4.6 | Density | 2.23 g/cm3 |
| Loss Tangent tan d [at 25 °C and 1MHz] | 37 x 10-4 | Young’s Modulus [E] | 64 GPa |
| Specific Electric Volume Resistivity | Poisson’s Ratio | 0.2 | |
| lg r 250 °C | 8.0 Ω x cm | Shear Modulus | 27 GPa |
| lg r 350 °C | 6.5 Ω x cm | Vickers Hardness [0.2/15] | 568 |
| tk100 | 250 °C/482 °F | Knoop Hardness [0.1/20] | 480 |
| Refractive Index nd [l 587.6 nm] | 1.472 |
| Stress Optical Coefficient [K] | 4.0 x 10-6 mm² N-1 |
| Dispersion (nF – nc) | 71.9 x 10-4 |
Conclusion:
Borosilicate glass is a versatile material that has a wide range of applications due to its unique properties. Its high thermal resistance, chemical durability, low thermal expansion, and excellent optical properties make it a popular choice in laboratory equipment, consumer goods, lighting, aerospace and defense, and other applications.
