When attempting to describe borosilicate glass to others, it's not uncommon to experience interruptions with questions like, "Wait, what kind of material are you referring to?" or "Could you repeat the name of the glass?"

Rest assured, it's perfectly normal to be unfamiliar with borosilicate glass, but it's equally crucial to understand its properties and specific attributes. This knowledge can provide insights into its exceptionally valuable qualities, potentially altering your overall perception of glass.

Borosilicate refers to a type of glass that is composed primarily of silica (silicon dioxide) and boron oxide. This chemical composition allows it not to crack under extreme temperature changes like regular glass.

“Our Boropuff Standard Series made with high quality borosilicate.”

The addition of boron oxide to the silica glass composition lowers the glass's coefficient of thermal expansion, that is basically the rate at which the glass expands when it is exposed to heat, meaning that it has a much lower tendency to expand or contract with changes in temperature compared to regular glass.

Due to this characteristic, borosilicate glass can seamlessly transition from a freezer to an oven rack without undergoing any cracks. This unique property allows you to safely pour boiling water into borosilicate glass, such as when steeping tea or coffee, without the concern of the glass shattering or breaking, and moreover it complies with the main international standards even for laboratory use and it’s suitable for heating even under flame.

You should test our Boropuff Slim Series to really appreciate this fantastic material." 

Borosilicate is known for its unique properties, which make it highly desirable for various applications.

Thermal Resistance: It is highly resistant to thermal shock. It can withstand rapid temperature changes without cracking or breaking, making it suitable for applications that involve heating and cooling, such as laboratory glassware and cooking utensils and many others.

Chemical Resistance: It is highly resistant to corrosion by chemicals, acids, and other substances. This property makes it valuable for applications in laboratories, where it's used for various types of glassware, such as beakers, test tubes, and flasks.

Transparency: It is transparent and has excellent optical clarity. This property is important for applications in optics, lighting, and specialised glassware where clear visibility is essential.

Durability: Due to its thermal and chemical resistance, it is quite durable and long-lasting. It can endure harsh conditions without deteriorating, which makes it suitable for industrial applications.

Precision and Clarity: It has excellent optical clarity, which is important in applications where visibility and precision are critical.

Biocompatibility: It is generally considered biocompatible, meaning it does not react with or harm living tissues. This makes it suitable for medical applications, such as in microfluidics, where it may come into contact with biological samples.

Ease of Cleaning: It is easy to clean and sterilise due to its chemical resistance. Tips made from this material can be autoclaved or subjected to other sterilisation methods without compromising their structural integrity.

Non-Contaminating: It is inert and non-contaminating, making it suitable for applications where impurities cannot be introduced into the sample or process.

Manipulation: It is amenable to precise shaping and manipulation, allowing the production of creations with specific geometries and features to suit particular applications.

Artistic and Decorative Uses: In creative fields like glassblowing, it can be used to create intricate and visually appealing designs due to the material's workability and clarity. Check out our Boropuff Sphere Series or our Boropuff Relax Series

In conclusion, while borosilicate glass may not be as universally recognised as regular glass, its unique attributes position it as a versatile material with a wide range of benefits: a steadfast and valuable player in industries and applications that require quality, precision, reliability, and the ability to withstand challenging conditions.