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Types of Lab Glassware

Chemists use many types of glassware. Some are meant to withstand pressure, while others are meant to withstand heat and chemical reactions. According to Indigo, Glassware is used to both transfer and to hold samples. In particular, small amounts of liquids are usually pipetted into a particular container and, sometimes, stored in test tubes (which are quintessential in every laboratory).

  1. The Facts

    • Once purchased, glassware used in laboratories is often not able to be returned because there is no way to test it for contamination, according to Indigo. One of the main reasons for this is the cost that is associated with the testing of glassware for possible bacteriological, chemical and radiological agents.

    Types

    • There are many types of lab glassware, according to Indigo. Burets are used to accurately measure small amounts of liquid, and beakers are used for regular measuring, boiling and mixing of liquids. Boiling flasks are usually made to withstand breaking due to heat and chemical reactions, and funnels are used to transfer liquids from one container to another. Erlenmeyer flasks are fitted with cork and rubber stoppers and are used for storing, measuring and mixing. Graduated cylinders are used for measuring smaller amounts of liquid than those measured by beakers but not quite as small as the burets.

    Features

    • Certain boiling flasks have particular features. For example, a flat bottom boiling flask is usually used placed on a wire mesh, while a round bottom boiling flask cannot stand on its own and must be clamped. Furthermore, according to Indigo, not all boiling flasks can withstand all temperatures, and an Erlenmeyer flask is preferred for liquids with high boiling points.

    Function

    • Besides the variety of measuring glass containers, laboratories also use many types of tubes. According to Thomas Net, there are centrifuge tubes (used to spin samples), boiling tubes (used for boiling), Thiele tubes (used for determining boiling and melting points), NMR tubes (used in nuclear magnetic resonances), and thistle tubes (used for adding materials through a semipermeable membrane).

    Warning

    • Individuals using lab glassware should handle it with care and take every precaution, according to Indigo. Precautions include wearing goggles and gloves and presuming all liquids found in chemical laboratories are hazardous. Furthermore, one should also assume that glass looks the same whether it is hot or coldm and therefore it should handled carefully. If the glassware breaks or shatters, take care of the pieces conscientiously.

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