Type of

Glassware

Uses

Advantages

Disadvantages

Examples

Borosilicate
(pyrex /
kimanx)

> High thermal

resistance

Characteristics

For heating and

sterilization

> Can tolerate

heating and
sterilization for
lengthy
periods of time to
510C

All
purpose, all
types of
beakers,
flasks, etc.

Aluminosilicat
Type of
e
Plasticware
(Corex/Vycor)

> High thermal

Characteristics
resistance

>Centrifugation
Uses
>Ashing and
ignition
techniques.

> Should not be

cooled too
quickly after
heating
> May cloud after
use with a
strong alkali
Subject to
scratching
> Resists
Disadvantages
scratching
> Subject to
It is not
some
acid or
recommended
alkali
attack
for use with at
temperature
of
acids, aldehydes,
100C
ketones, ethers,

Polystyrene
(PS)

Polyethylene
Conventional
(CPE)

Advantages

> Temperature
stability to 672C;
Useful with
short-term
water anduse to
850C.
aqueous salt
> solutions.
Extremely
strong and hard
> Can withstand
very high
temperature,
as well as drastic
changes in
temperature.
> They
Mosthave
are alkali
resistant
in this
excellent
category.
chemical
resistance to

Silica (96%)

Linear (LPE)

Polypropylen
e (PP)

Can be considered
optically
pure (cuvets,
thermometers)

> most
Can be used
substances,
with strong alkali
with
the
and
suffer
exception
of
minimal attack
aldehydes,
Can be used at
amines, ethers,
high
hydrocarbons,
temperatures
and essential
(900C
oils. 1200C)
and withstand a
sharp change in
temperature
They have
excellent
chemical
resistance to
most
substances,
with the
exception of
aldehydes,
amines, ethers,
hydrocarbons,

hydrocarbons, or
>essential
Must beoils.
heated
Alcohols
and
and
bases can
cooled
withbe
care
used, but storage
> Highest
beyond 24 h is
temperature for
discouraged.
safe
use is 578C
the exceptions
should also
include
lubricating oil
and silicones.
The usage of any
of the abovenamed chemical
groups should be
limited to 24
hours at room
temperature.

the exceptions
should also
include
lubricating oil
and silicones.
The usage of any
of the abovenamed chemical
groups should be
limited to 24
hours at room

>
Examples
Centrifuge
tubes and
Disposables
thermomet
ers

All-purpose
Reagent
bottles
Test-tube rack
Carboys
Droppers

Cuvets and
thermomet
ers
Specimen
transport
containers
Reagent
bottles
Screw-cap
closures
Bottles

and essential
oils.
Tygon
Teflon FEP

Polycarbonat
e (PC)

Polyvinyl
chloridea
(PVC)

temperature.

Tubing
Stopcocks
Wash bottles
Beakers

This resin
possesses
excellent
chemical
resistance to
almost all
chemicals used
in the clinical
laboratory.
It is resistant to
water, aqueous
salts, food, and
inorganic acids
for a long
period of time.

Not resistant
to fluorine
and molten
alkali metals.

Very susceptible
to damage by
most chemicals.

All-purpose
Large reagent
containers
Carboys
Test-tube rack

> can be
autoclaved,
very flexible

Limited
thermal
capability.
Sensitive to
UV and
oxidative
degradation.

Bottles/tubing