Borosilicate glass is a type of glass made with silica and boron trioxide. It's durable and can withstand high temperatures. It doesn't crack under extreme temperature changes like other types of glass. That's why it's used for many things, like cookware and lab equipment.
How Is Borosilicate Glass Used?
Borosilicate glass was the most popular type used for cookware before 1980. Pyrex, a well-known dishware brand, was made with borosilicate glass from 1915 until the 1980s. However, Corning Glass Works, the manufacturer of Pyrex, switched to using soda-lime glass in the 1980s.
Borosilicate glass is not as commonly used in the U.S. because it is more expensive to manufacture than other types of glass. While other kitchenware companies in the U.S. have switched to using less temperature-resistant soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass is still commonly used for cookware in Europe. There is no safety concern in using borosilicate glass for kitchen or laboratory applications.
Borosilicate is also commonly used in scientific and medical laboratories because of its excellent chemical resistance, even though it is more expensive than other materials. This type of glass is used to make items such as test tubes, rods, beakers, graduated cylinders, pipettes, and stopper attachments. You can find borosilicate laboratory glassware in laboratories all over the world.
How Is Borosilicate Glass Manufactured?
Borosilicate glass requires such high temperatures that it is more difficult and expensive to manufacture than regular glass. Some companies have stopped using borosilicate glass for kitchenware and instead use the cheaper tempered soda-lime glass.
Borosilicate glass was invented in the late 1800s. It's made of 80 per cent silica, 13 percent boric oxide, four per cent sodium oxide, and two to three per cent aluminium oxide. The key difference between borosilicate glass and regular glass is that borosilicate glass has boron oxide instead of soda and lime. Borosilicate glass must have at least five per cent boron oxide to bind the silicate, aluminium oxide, and sodium oxide together.
What Are the Properties of Borosilicate Glass?
Borosilicate glass has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, meaning it is resistant to thermal shock. Thermal shock is the stress caused by different substance parts expanding at different rates when the temperature changes. If a hot borosilicate dish is taken out of the oven and set on a cool counter, it is less likely to shatter because the glass can withstand more stress.
Borosilicate glass is a safer option for drinking glasses as it is lead and BPA-free. Borosilicate glass is safer than tempered soda-lime glass, the type of glass many companies use to make kitchenware.
Is Switching to a Borosilicate Glass Jug Worth Your Money?
There are many easy ways to improve our habits and help the environment. For example, buying disposable plastic water bottles is unnecessary when so many other options are available.
Deciding to buy a reusable water jug / bottle is a great first step in changing your lifestyle for the better. It can be tempting to go for the cheapest option that gets the job done, but that isn't the right mindset if you want to improve your health. It's always better to choose quality over quantity, and buying products that will last is a wise investment.
Conclusion
An ideal water jug is made from borosilicate glass and is free of BPAs and phthalates. This kind of glass is expensive and isn't as durable as plastics, so it will be more expensive to replace.
Still, a borosilicate glass water jug can last a lifetime with proper care. They're available in many colours, sizes, and cup volume capacities. Consider these qualities when choosing a water jug and make sure it's made from borosilicate glass.
Ecobud specialises in the supply of innovative and environmental products for residential and commercial use. Our fine range of Gentoo Glass Jugs are made from borosilicate glass. We aim to build a genuine connection between your lifestyle and cleaner living. Our designs and innovations are geared toward simplifying life, not complicating it. For us, it is always about creating a genuine connection between your daily lifestyle and natural healthy living. Make the switch to healthier, more eco-friendly options now! Switch to borosilicate glass!