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In modern family life and laboratory environments, high borosilicate glass containers are becoming more and more popular. Whether it is glass fresh-keeping boxes, milk bottles, water cups in the kitchen, or beakers, measuring cylinders and other utensils in the laboratory, many of them use the material "high borosilicate glass". So, are high borosilicate glass containers really safe? This article will comprehensively discuss the safety issues of high borosilicate glass containers from multiple aspects such as the definition, characteristics, safety performance, precautions for use, and comparison with other materials of high borosilicate glass.

1. What is high borosilicate glass?

High borosilicate glass (Borosilicate Glass) is a special glass material made by adding boron and silicon elements to glass raw materials. Its chemical composition contains about 12-13% of boron trioxide (B₂O₃) and about 80% of silicon dioxide (SiO₂). It is this special chemical structure that makes high borosilicate glass have excellent thermal stability, chemical stability and mechanical strength.

It was first developed by German chemist Otto Schott in the late 19th century. It was originally used for scientific experimental equipment and was later gradually applied to household, industrial, medical and other fields.

2. Advantages of high borosilicate glass

Excellent high temperature resistance

The most notable feature of high borosilicate glass is its high temperature resistance. The softening point can reach above 820°C, which is much higher than ordinary soda-lime glass (softening point is about 520°C). This means that it can be used directly in high temperature environments such as open flames, electric ceramic stoves, ovens, etc. without being easy to break.

Excellent thermal expansion coefficient

The thermal expansion coefficient of high borosilicate glass is only 3.3×10⁻⁶/K, which is much smaller than ordinary glass. This low thermal expansion coefficient makes it less likely to burst in alternating hot and cold, so it can withstand "thermal shock"-that is, quickly changing from high temperature to low temperature, or vice versa.

Strong chemical stability

It has strong acid, alkali and corrosion resistance and is not easy to react chemically with the contents. This is crucial for laboratory utensils and food containers.

High strength and good transparency

Although glass itself is a brittle material, high borosilicate glass has a denser composition structure than ordinary glass, and its compressive strength and bending strength are higher, and its optical properties are excellent, it is transparent, and it is colorless and odorless.

3. Is high borosilicate glass container safe?

Food contact safety

High borosilicate glass does not release toxic substances during use, does not contain heavy metal elements such as BPA (bisphenol A), lead, and cadmium, and does not absorb odors. It is an inert material. International food safety agencies (such as FDA, EU EFSA, etc.) have recognized the use of high borosilicate glass, so it is widely used in baby bottles, glass fresh-keeping boxes, kettles and other fields.

Safety of use brought by thermal shock resistance

Ordinary glass cups are easy to burst after pouring hot water, while high borosilicate glass can withstand temperature changes of up to 150°C, which greatly improves its safety of use. For example, putting a glass lunch box just taken out of the refrigerator directly into a microwave oven for heating will not burst.

Structural stability ensures long-term use

Borosilicate glass containers have strong aging resistance and are not easy to deform, yellow or become brittle during daily use. Compared with plastic containers, there is no problem of "releasing harmful components after aging", and it will not absorb oil stains and pigments, making it easier to clean and keep hygienic.

Medical and laboratory safety guarantees

In the fields of medical and scientific research, borosilicate glass is a commonly used material for experimental equipment. For example, beakers, test tubes, culture dishes, etc., because of their stable structure and do not react with most chemicals, they greatly ensure the accuracy of the experiment and the safety of the user.

4. Precautions when using borosilicate glass containers

Although borosilicate glass has outstanding performance, the following points should still be noted during actual use to avoid damage or danger caused by misoperation:

Avoid severe impact: Although borosilicate glass is heat-resistant, its impact resistance is still not as good as that of metal utensils, and it may still break under strong impact.

Do not dry burn: Empty containers are prone to overheating or even bursting when heated in an open flame or microwave environment. Liquid or food should be ensured in the container.

Avoid contact with strong alkali or hydrofluoric acid: Although it is acid and alkali resistant, high borosilicate glass is extremely sensitive to hydrofluoric acid, so avoid experimental operation errors.

Do not fall from a height: its strength does not mean it is drop-proof, especially when filled with liquid, the risk of falling is greater.

Adapter problem: Before using high borosilicate glass for heating or steaming, you should confirm that the equipment supports the use of glass containers to avoid breakage due to the structure or incompatibility of the equipment.

5. Environmental advantages of high borosilicate glass

In today's society where green environmental protection is increasingly valued, high borosilicate glass also has the following sustainable advantages:

Reusable: It can be used repeatedly for a long time, reducing plastic consumption.

Recyclable: Waste high borosilicate glass can be recycled and processed without polluting the environment.

Non-toxic and harmless degradable products: Unlike plastics, its degradation does not release harmful particles or heavy metals.

Therefore, from an environmental protection perspective, high borosilicate glass containers are also a more sustainable choice.

6. How to identify real high borosilicate glass?

In order to save costs, some merchants on the market may use ordinary glass to impersonate high borosilicate glass for sale. Here are some identification methods:

Check the logo: Regular products will be marked with words such as "Borosilicate glass", "high borosilicate", and "heat-resistant glass".

Observe the thickness and feel: High borosilicate glass is slightly thinner than ordinary glass and has better light transmittance.

Heating test (careful operation): Whether it bursts when pouring hot water can be used as a basis for judgment, but the risk is high, it is recommended to buy well-known brands for more security.

Price rationality: High borosilicate glass costs more, and products with prices significantly lower than the market average should be treated with caution.

Combining the above analysis, it can be seen that high borosilicate glass containers have obvious advantages in food safety, heat and corrosion resistance, service life, environmental sustainability, etc. As long as they are used correctly and pay attention to daily maintenance, it is currently one of the safest and most reliable glass container materials. Whether it is a home kitchen, outdoor use or laboratory environment, high borosilicate glass containers are a trustworthy choice.

For modern consumers who pursue healthy living and environmental protection concepts, choosing high borosilicate glass containers is undoubtedly a more scientific and safer lifestyle.

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