In modern life, laboratory glass tubes still hold an important place in laboratories. Despite the emergence of many new products, none have been able to replace them so far. Moreover, laboratory tubes significantly affect the research results as well as safety. So, how were laboratory glass tubes created? What is the production process for these laboratory tools? What are their applications? Let’s explore these in the article shared below!
The History of Laboratory Glass Tubes
Laboratory glass tubes are very important in the laboratory
In the 19th century, glass tubes were produced exclusively by mouth-blowing. As a result, they were continuously made from a batch of melted glass. In 1912, E. Danner (from Libbey Glass Company) developed the first continuous tube drawing process in the U.S., which operated horizontally.
In 1918, he received a patent for this method. In 1929, a vertical drawing process was developed by L. Sanches-Vello in France. Since then, laboratory tubes have become widely used and are considered essential laboratory equipment in modern life.
The Production Process of Laboratory Glass Tubes:
Laboratory glass tubes come in various shapes and sizes
Glass tubes are produced in various types of glass and diameters, ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters. In most production processes, a "very long" glass tube is drawn directly from molten glass. A segment of about 1.5 meters is then cut into smaller pieces after passing through a roller into the drawing machine.
The production line for vertical tube drawing includes glass tubes, tracking rollers, drawing machines, and packaging. Additionally, large-diameter glass tubes are made to order for chemical industry plants. These tubes are created by centrifugal casting or mouth-blowing. However, only relatively short tube segments, up to one meter long, known as tube tips, can be produced.
Glass tubes are primarily hollow cylinders. Their special shape, combined with various types of glass (such as borosilicate, fire-resistant glass, aluminosilicate, soda-lime, lead, or quartz glass), allows them to be used in many applications.
Historically, scientists made their own laboratory equipment before the widespread use of glass joints. Nowadays, commercially available parts are preferred, connected by ground glass joints. Special glass equipment is required for precise measurements, and these are made using readily available glass tubes by specialists.
Outstanding Advantages of Laboratory Glass Tubes
Laboratory glass tubes in cylindrical form have many prominent features
Compared to other materials like plastic, laboratory glass tubes made of glass have many significant advantages. To create hollow objects from glass, a cylindrical shape is naturally used. Laboratory glass tubes offer several benefits such as:
- The lowest surface area and the most compact design.
- The highest mechanical strength against pressure and impact.
- Automatic subsequent processing due to their symmetry.
Compared to cast ceramics, the tube drawing process provides: - Better optical clarity.
- More uniform thickness distribution.
- Higher precision in weight and geometry in general.
How to Effectively Repair Laboratory Glass Tubes?
Many glass tubes can be used immediately. For example, they are used in pneumatic transmission systems, lighting, optical reactors, or architectural items. However, modifying glass tubes is quite common and cannot be overlooked in applications such as laboratory glassware, pharmaceutical packaging, and diode encapsulation. In these cases, the glass tube needs to be cut, bent, or even transformed into different shapes. This is typically done by applying heat to the sample or using a mechanical forming tool.
Although repairing glass tubes is no longer a crucial laboratory technique, many people are still familiar with basic methods. A glass cutter is used to break pieces of glass tube into smaller segments. The newly cut edges are polished with a flame before use to remove rough edges. Glass tubes can be bent by evenly heating them on a Bunsen flame until they glow red. A vacuum or rubber tube may be added to create better grip and seal the tube.
GUIDELINES FOR CLEANING LABORATORY GLASSWARE
Useful Applications of Laboratory Glass Tubes:
These laboratory tools are not only produced in a round shape but also in many other forms, such as rectangular, triangular, and star shapes. Glass tubes and rods can be made from different types of glass. They are used across a range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, industrial and environmental technologies, and electronics. Laboratory glass tubes are found in applications such as measuring cylinders, halogen bulbs, pharmaceutical packaging, fluorescent lights, interior design, backlighting, photographic flash bulbs, and pneumatic conveyor systems.
Conclusion
In the article above, Lab Cường Thịnh hopes you have gained useful knowledge about the versatile laboratory tool - the glass tube. With this knowledge, you will be able to make the right choices and decisions if you want to own this product to meet your work requirements. Contact us today by visiting our website at labcuongthinh.com.vn or calling directly at the hotline: 093.131.9988 for advice and support regarding laboratory glass tubes.
