A Guide to Laboratory Glassware

Reference & Education

  • Author Ricardo Disuja
  • Published May 14, 2012
  • Word count 361

Laboratory equipment refers to the wide range of tools and devices that are used by the scientists while working in a laboratory. These equipments are mainly used for carrying out scientific experiments, taking measurements and gathering data. More sophisticated lab equipment is known as scientific instrument.

Lab Glassware has a long and storied role in chemistry. Since the very beginnings of chemistry glassware has been the medium of choice for holding and manipulating refined raw materials and chemicals.

Some of the commonly used Scientific Glassware is:

Flasks: Flasks are probably the most common and recognizable types of glassware. The unique shape of the flask gives it specialized usability. Some of the widely used flasks are Erlenmeyer flasks, volumetric flasks, Buchner flask, round-bottom flasks etc.

Beakers: Beakers are another common type of chemistry lab glassware. The beaker is similar to the flask, but it is cylindrical in shape as opposed to conical. Although commonly made of borosilicate glass, plastic and stainless steel beakers are also produced.

Bottles: Designed to contain liquids for storage, bottles come in a wide variety of materials, sizes, and shapes. Bottles come in clear glass or amber glass for light sensitive liquids.

Burettes: Glass burettes are very long graduated tube shaped pieces of glassware used for accurate measuring of liquids. When you use a burette you expect accuracy, reliability and durability. Burettes generally come with supports to hold them in place while measuring and release of liquids occurs.

Test Tubes: Test Tubes are small cylinders made from lab-glassware-grade glass made from Borosilicate glass. Test tubes are ideal for mixing very small amount of test solutions and reagents. Test tubes serve a wide variety of purposes from temporary storage in the lab to flower vases outside the lab. They are used by biologists, medical professionals, botanists, forensic technicians, and casually to contain everything from kitchen spices to beads.

The most commonly used glass is clear, borosilicate glass, also known as Pyrex that can withstand the stress of heating. No matter what material laboratory glassware is made from, the names of the various glassware types remain consistent and are based on shape, volume, and intended use.

http://www.borosil.com/

Ricardo is a freelance writer from last 10 years. Visit his website to know about Flasks, Beakers, Burettes and other Lab Glassware.

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