Borosilicate Glassware

[Driver5773]

Hi guys, gonna be a stupid question I know, but is Borosilicate glass safe to use with high proof alcohol?
It’s commonplace in laboratories, and has a high chemical resistance. i.e acids.

So I’m thinking yes, but double checking with the experts.
I’m going to be using the glass for sg/also readings, and for cutting forshots/heads/tails.

Many thanks again for all your help and good advice.

Simon.

[Yummyrum]

Boro glass is just fine for measuring, testing ,storage , windows in stills etc

But we generally discourage using glass as part of a still , say as a boiler or a thumper ......just too risky ...and while Boro glass is great from a thermal shock point of view it's still quite fragile , hence the reason not to use it for boiling etc

[Kareltje]

Glass is very nice material as it is almost non-reactive. It can be etched with HF, but I never distilled that.
I once read an article comparing the leaching of lead from crystal glass, but can not find it again. That is a pity, as some people like to drink strong alcohol from crystal glasses.

I am told, that the our department of customs has a special ruling for glass stills. Normally you have to report every chance in the still, but as glass boilers often break and it is not feasible for laboratories to wait for approval of every replacement, this rule does not apply for glass.

Speaking for myself: I never lost a piece of glass (meters, measuring glasses) during distilling. But of course: success in the past is no guarantee for the future.

[Driver5773]

Thanks guys. No glass in the still, I don’t need to see what’s going on inside, I’m too busy grinning from ear to ear..whilst watch the drips at the outlet. It’s purely for collection, not even storage.
I was just wondering due to the silica in the glass.
Thanks again.

Simon

[hpby98]

Thanks guys. No glass in the still, I don’t need to see what’s going on inside, I’m too busy grinning from ear to ear..whilst watch the drips at the outlet. It’s purely for collection, not even storage.
I was just wondering due to the silica in the glass.
Thanks again.

Simon

A sight glass is a lotta fun and nothing wrong with it

[Bushman]

My shotgun condenser was made from Borosilicate glass by Mash Rookie, of course that is at the cooling stage.

image.jpeg (27.61 KiB) Viewed 1427 times

[Kareltje]

Thanks guys. No glass in the still, I don’t need to see what’s going on inside, I’m too busy grinning from ear to ear..whilst watch the drips at the outlet. It’s purely for collection, not even storage.
I was just wondering due to the silica in the glass.
Thanks again.

Simon

There are silicates in ALL glasses. Normal glass is a calciumsodiumsilicate. And this is safely used for all kinds of food storage!!

In borosilicate glass borium replaces (part of) the calcium and sodium. Borium can be harmful, but the glass is only attacked by hydrogenfluoride (HF).

For comparison: in crystal glass lead replaces (part of) the calcium and sodium.

[Driver5773]

Well that’s a relief then. Cos I’d already ordered loads of it. Thanks.