Maintaining Laboratory Glassware

Anything used in a laboratory and made of glass qualifies to be labelled as Laboratory Glassware. It is a broad category and includes test tubes, watch glass, beakers, flasks, bottles, pipettes, burettes, slides, thermometers, cylinders and many more. These instruments are used in various applications in laboratory because of their transparent nature, chemical inertness in ordinary conditions and exceptional resistance to heat. Laboratory Glassware are ideal for storing chemicals as they are transparent and you can easily recognize the chemicals by their form and colour without even opening the containers.

Laboratory Equipment made from glass is used for a variety of applications like storing strong chemicals, volumetric measuring, cooling, distillation, heating, pressure reactors spectrography, chromatography, and mixing solutions. Laboratory Glassware is used in Laboratory because it allows for accurate and clear observations. Laboratory Glassware needs to be handled with care along with regular cleaning and proper maintenance.

Handling

Laboratory Glassware is fragile and can break if handled carelessly. While working with glass equipment it is important to be very careful as a small mistake may damage the equipment and cause injury. It is also important to know whether the chemical that is used in an experiment is compatible with the type of glass from which the equipment is made. For example, polyethylene containers are used for storing hydrofluoric acid because it is highly reactive with glass. It is also important to know that which Glass Equipment is appropriate for a particular process. For example, Round-bottomed flask is used for boiling purpose because the base is too heavy to crack easily while heating process.

Cleaning

Cleaning Laboratory Equipment is a difficult task, especially cleaning conical flasks and thin test tubes. Laboratory Glassware needs proper cleaning and hence it is important to wash each Glass Equipment thoroughly after completing the experiment. The first step of cleaning Laboratory Equipment is rinsing it properly with water. This helps in loosening grease and most of the chemical combinations. Further scrubbing is done to remove impurities and dirt. Acetone is a chemical that is widely used in cleaning Laboratory Glassware. After cleaning it is important to blow dry the equipment for removing traces of water that may disturb the reactions that will be done in it.

Pioneer Scientific Instrument Corporation (PISCO)TM is a renowned Manufacturer, Supplier and Exporter of Scientific Laboratory Glass Apparatuses. PISCO uses the finest materials for making Laboratory Glassware. The range of Scientific Laboratory Glass Apparatuses offered by the company comprises of Sintered Laboratory Glassware, Sintered Filter Disc, Sintered Glass Buchner Funnel, Vacuum Pin Tube etc. For more information about PISCO, browse through the company’s website at www.piscolabglass.com.

Author is representing this article on behalf of Pioneer Scientific Instrument Corporation. Pisco is a renowned company for manufacturing and supplying Vacuum Pin Tube etc.