What Is Laboratory Glassware?

Laboratory glassware refers to a variety of equipment, traditionally made of glass, which is used for scientific experiments and generally used in chemistry as well as in biology lab. Now, some equipment is made of plastic because plastic ware is less expensive, less prone to breakage and serves many purposes in the lab but glass is still used for some applications because it is relatively inert, transparent, more heat-resistant than some plastics up to a point and relatively easy to customize. Laboratory glassware is often held in place with clamps made for that purpose, which are likewise attached and held in place by stands or racks.



Laboratory Equipments
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. There are so many equipments in the lab but the most important lab equipment is lab glassware. Some of the following glasswares are:

Flasks

Flasks are characterized by their shape, with a larger base and narrow open neck. They serve a variety of purposes from collecting liquids to heating mixtures. They come in a number of shapes and a wide range of sizes, but some having two necks. Also, they are produced in both plastic as well as in glass. There are several types of flasks, all of which have different functions within the laboratory. Flasks, because of their use, can be divided into:

• Reaction Flasks
  
• Distillation Flasks
  
• Reagent Flasks
  
• Volumetric Flasks
  
• Dewar Flasks
  
• Retorts Flasks
  
• Buchner Flasks, etc
  

Beakers

Beaker is a container for stirring, mixing and heating liquids, which is generally used in science laboratories. It is in cylindrical shape, with a flat bottom and a lip for pouring. It is mainly made of glass but can also be in metal or in certain plastics. It is available in a comprehensive range of sizes from one millilitre up to several litres.

Bottles

Bottles are used to contain liquids for storage and it comes in a huge variety of materials, sizes as well as shapes. Some bottles are made with a flaring mouth to accommodate a glass stopper and some have screw-on plastic caps. Bottles come in clear glass or amber glass for light sensitive liquids. They may be jar-shaped with a wide mouth, jug-shaped with a small thumb loop for secure holding or have a square base.

Funnels

Funnels are inverted cones with a long straight neck. They are used for spill-free pouring from one container to another. They generally do not need to be heat resistant.

Burettes

Glass burettes are very long graduated tube shaped pieces of glassware used for accurate measuring of liquids.
Test Tubes
Test tubes are round-bottomed, cylindrical glassware widely used in laboratories to hold or mix small amounts of material. They are usually made of glass for better resistance to heat and corrosive chemicals and longer life.



Applications Areas

• There are so many different kinds of lab glassware products, which is used for a wide variety of functions such as volumetric measuring, holding or storing chemicals, mixing or preparing solutions or other mixtures, containing lab processes like chemical reactions, heating, cooling, distillation, separations and containing a full or partial vacuum, pressure, and more.
  
• For pressurized reaction, heavy-wall glass is used for pressure reactor.
  

How To Clean Glass Beakers and Other Laboratory Glassware
Washing laboratory glassware is little more difficult than using simple soap and water. Certain precautions must be taken in order to avoid any kind of destroying chemical solutions and experiments. Some tips are as follows:

• Laboratory glassware that has contained water soluble solutions is perhaps the simplest to clean. Simply rinse the beakers or other containers 3 or 4 times in deionized water and allow them to dry.
  
• For water insoluble solutions, the glassware should be rinsed 2 to 3 times with acetone or ethanol, followed by 3 to 4 rinses with deionized water. They should then be set aside and allowed to dry.
  
• Glass beakers and laboratory glassware should be air dried to avoid scratching or damaging the surface. Towels or blowed air may also cause fibers or other contaminates.
  
• It is easier to clean laboratory glassware directly following use, as it will be easier to remove all traces of chemical substances. Also, water and other liquids can ruin a chemical solution or experiment. It is, therefore required that a dry glass beaker be used for each new experiment. By cleaning the glassware directly after use, it will allow for drying time.
  
• If you must use glass beakers and other glassware immediately after cleaning, they should be rinsed 2 or 3 times with acetone. The acetone will evaporate quickly and remove any excess water.
  
• When laboratory glassware has been cleaned properly, a deionized water rinse will form a smooth sheet when it is poured through clean glass beakers or other glassware. If you cannot see this sheeting action, you may need to apply more aggressive methods of cleaning.
  
• Ground glass joints can be degreased by soaking a lint-free or microfiber cloth in either acetone or ether and wiping the joints carefully.