Chemistry lab work relies heavily on glassware. In a laboratory setting, glass is ideal since it is see-through and resistant to chemical reactions (except hydrofluoric acid and strong bases). Since glass can be easily shaped, it may be used to make a variety of novel devices. Furthermore, with the right glassblowing skills, most glassware may be repaired. Glass can break, which makes it more likely that people will get hurt from splinters, cuts, chemical spills, and flying objects during an explosion.
Why Do We Use Laboratory Glassware?
Laboratory glassware is used for accurate volumetric measurements. For high-precision measurements, like those done in a testing lab, the glassware must be of a metrological grade.
The Types of Laboratory Glassware and Their Uses
There are several varieties of laboratory glassware available. Some of the most common components that are still commonly used are mentioned below;
- Beakers are simple containers used to store samples and reagents and are one of the most commonly used forms of laboratory glassware.
- Burettes are used to distribute liquids in precise amounts.
- Bulb pipettes and graduated pipettes are used to carefully move a small amount of fluid.
- There are many different types of condensers, but they are all used to cool or heat liquids.
- Desiccators are substances that absorb moisture.
- The narrow neck of a funnel makes it easy to pour liquid into a container with a small opening.
- Sampling tubes are used to take tiny amounts of liquid.
- Graduated cylinders are similar to beakers, except they include volume measurements.
- Petri dishes are another well-known object from school. Petri dishes are shallow, circular plates used for cell cultivation.
- Items are put between two glass slides to be seen under a microscope.
- Vacuum manifolds, also known as Schlenk Lines, are a typical chemical device. They are particularly handy for working with air-sensitive chemicals.
- Vials are small bottles used for storing liquids.
Laboratory Glassware: Correct Use and Handling
If it is handled improperly or carelessly, even something as straightforward as a Bunsen burner has the potential to set nearby items ablaze, result in damage to property, and even endanger the other people working in the lab.
- Always make sure the glassware you’re using is free of any breaks, cracks, chips, or nicks.
- Before beginning to work with glassware, always inspect it for flaws. In the event that flaws are found, the glassware should be removed from service. During usage, even minor flaws have the potential to develop into large fissures. Glassware that has been broken beyond repair must be disposed of properly.
- After cleaning the glassware with acetone, you can speed up the drying process by putting it on a ring stand or a drying rack.
- Glassware that is hot should not be placed on cold surfaces, and glassware that is cold should not be placed on hot surfaces.
- Burns of a severe kind may be inflicted by hot glassware.
- Instead of holding beakers, bottles, and flasks by their tops, you should hold them by their sides and bottoms.
- Never use a vacuum on a flask that has been bent or any other apparatus that has a smooth surface.
- When filtering the product, a heavy-walled suction flask should be used.
- Use a clamp or one of the many other clamping devices to secure the flask.
- Because glass has a limited tensile strength, you should only use containers made with rated glass for reactions that involve pressure. But because flaws in the glassware might not be noticed, it is not a good idea to use it in high-pressure situations.
- When transferring a liquid or a solvent using a glass vessel, it is important not to pressurize the vessel.
- Use a clamp with a rubber lining or glass tape at the spot where the clamp will be applied.
- You should never tighten the clamp too much, because if you do, the joint and the point of contraction will both break.
- When holding the reaction set up, use a variety of clamps that are of the appropriate size.
- Beakers with flat bottoms should only be used for heating liquids very slowly.
- Erlenmeyer flasks are useful for activities that need mild heating, such as boiling water. Under no circumstances should you heat a heavy-walled filter flask.
- When heating, flasks with a round bottom work the best. Because it is round, heat is spread evenly across the surface, so there is the least amount of tension possible.
- When drying a flask, try to avoid using a flame if at all feasible. Drying in an oven or by drip is recommended.
How to Clean Laboratory Glassware?
When cleaning glassware, use caution when handling it. Make sure your sinks have rubber matting. Damaged or broken glassware should be disposed of in a thick cardboard box.
How to Store Laboratory Glassware
Whenever it is practicable, you should store glassware on shelves and cabinets that cannot be moved. If it is required to store items in drawers, use appropriate cushioning and secondary containment so that there is less of a chance that the items will break.
Why MEDILAB?
MEDILAB is a leading manufacturer of Laboratory Glassware including Calibrated Volumetric Glassware, based in India. MEDILAB manufactures and exports high-quality laboratory glassware for educational and volumetric uses.
In order to guarantee quality and safety of our products, all of our laboratory glassware is manufactured by highly skilled Glass Blowing technicians as per International Standards and goes through an array of strict quality checks to ensure the quality of our product delivered. We use the right and finest packaging materials to ensure safe and secure packaging of all our Glass products.
‘Medilab’ has been manufacturing and exporting its Glassware to more than 30 countries.
‘Medilab’ is one of the leading laboratory glassware manufacturers from India. Many different types of laboratories in the fields of education, testing, research, forensics, microbiology, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals use the laboratory glassware we manufacture.
Our team of Glass Blowing experts produce complex glasswork to the highest standards. In addition to traditional flasks, stills, and other Glass lab equipment, we make custom glasswork as per customers requirement.
Get in Touch With Us
You may reach us at +91-9896330136 or +91-8607777500, or you can send an email to [email protected], if you’re interested in purchasing any of our laboratory glassware.
