Laboratory Glassware Safety Video

Corning Life Sciences

20 May 202010:08

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis presentation explores the historical significance of glass in laboratory science, highlighting the differences between soda lime and borosilicate glass, with a focus on Pyrex. It offers safety tips for handling and storing laboratory glassware, emphasizing the importance of proper techniques to prevent breakage and contamination.

Takeaways

🏺 Glass has been integral to laboratory science evolution since ancient times, with its use in storing drugs and the invention of glassblowing.
🧪 There are two main types of glass used in labs: soda-lime and borosilicate, with the latter being preferred for its heat resistance and chemical durability.
🔥 Pyrex, a brand of borosilicate glass, is known for its ability to withstand temperature changes from -230°C to 230°C and is ideal for handling chemicals and graduated glassware.
🛠️ Glass is naturally strong, but flaws or scratches can increase the risk of breakage, especially under stress such as thermal shock or pressure.
✂️ Proper cutting techniques are crucial for glass rods or tubing, requiring safety equipment and careful handling to avoid breakage.
👀 Always wear eye protection when working with glass, and ensure that glassware is free from damage before use to prevent injury.
🧼 Careful handling and cleaning of glassware is essential, using non-abrasive methods and avoiding contact with incompatible materials.
🔄 When heating or cooling glass, avoid rapid temperature changes that can induce thermal shock, even in heat-resistant borosilicate glass.
🚫 Never force a frozen glass joint or desiccator cover; instead, warm it gently to loosen.
🗑️ Dispose of flawed, broken, or contaminated glassware properly, using separate containers to ensure safety.
📚 For more information on safe practices and glassware options, consult the Corning catalog or visit their website.

Q & A

What was the significance of glass in ancient Egyptian and Roman times?
-In ancient times, Egyptian pharmacists stored drugs in small glass vials, and Roman subjects in Phoenicia invented glassblowing, which enabled the mass production of glass objects like flasks and beakers used in laboratories today.
What is the difference between soda lime and borosilicate glass in laboratories?
-Soda lime glass is used for items not exposed to heating, such as microscope slides and Pasteur pipettes. Borosilicate glass, known for brands like Pyrex, is preferred for laboratory apparatus due to its ability to be safely heated and cooled, and its chemical durability to handle most chemicals.
Why is Pyrex glass considered superior for laboratory use?
-Pyrex glass is chemically durable, can be safely heated and cooled from minus 230 degrees to 230 degrees Celsius, and has excellent optical clarity, making it ideal for graduated glassware.
How does the process of glass formation affect its strength?
-When glass is formed, the surface cools faster than the interior, leaving the inside in a state of tension. This makes a formed piece of glass naturally stronger than granite or steel.
What is the purpose of tempering glass?
-Tempering glass involves deliberately cooling the surface faster to make the 'skin' tighter, which results in a stronger piece. However, any flaw or scratch can make the tension inside more susceptible to breaking.
What safety equipment is necessary when cutting glass in a laboratory?
-Proper safety equipment includes eye protection. When cutting glass, a glass cutter or sharp file is used, and the cut is moistened and deepened before the glass is broken along the score.
How should one handle a glass rod or tubing after cutting?
-After cutting, the rod should be picked up with a gloved hand or wrapped in a towel, held away from the body, and pressure applied with thumbs while pulling out and back.
What is the correct way to loosen a frozen glass joint or desiccator cover?
-A frozen joint or desiccator cover should be immersed in a carbonated liquid and then heated with a low flame. It should be gently pulled apart when ready. Force should never be used.
Why is it important to inspect glassware for nicks and scratches before use?
-Nicks and scratches can increase the likelihood of breakage due to stress on the flaw, which includes vacuum, thermal shock, and internal or external pressure.
What are some best practices for handling and storing glassware to prevent damage?
-Glassware should be handled gently, laid on a towel or protective mat, and stored with padding to minimize abrasion. Clamps should be coated, and weight and pressure should be distributed evenly. Drawers should be closed gently to avoid damage.
What alternatives to glassware are available for certain laboratory applications?
-Reusable plastic is an alternative to glassware, especially when working with strong acids and bases. It's important to ensure the polymer is compatible with the chemicals being used, such as PP, PMP, and PFA polymers from Corning.

Outlines

00:00

🧪 Evolution and Safety of Laboratory Glassware

This paragraph delves into the historical significance of glass in laboratory science, highlighting its evolution from ancient Egyptian times to the modern era. It explains the invention of glassblowing and the development of two main types of glass used in labs: soda lime and borosilicate. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of Pyrex, a borosilicate glass introduced by Corning, known for its heat resistance and chemical durability. It also discusses the physical properties of glass, such as tension and strength, and provides safety tips for cutting and handling glassware to prevent breakage and injury. The summary includes instructions on how to safely cut glass rods, the importance of inspecting glassware for flaws, and the correct way to handle and store laboratory glass to ensure safety and longevity.

05:02

🔬 Proper Use and Care of Laboratory Glassware

The second paragraph focuses on the proper use and care of laboratory glassware to ensure safety and efficiency in a lab setting. It outlines steps for safely thawing frozen desiccators and handling glass tubing and pipettes. The paragraph advises against forcing frozen glass joints and suggests using alternatives like PTFE stopcocks. It also covers the importance of gradual temperature changes to prevent thermal shock and the use of appropriate materials and techniques when heating glassware. The summary includes tips on cleaning and storing glassware, the disposal of flawed or contaminated glass, and the use of reusable plastic as an alternative to glassware in certain situations. It concludes with a summary of key safety practices, emphasizing the need for proper safety equipment, careful inspection of glassware, and cautious handling to prevent accidents and ensure a safe laboratory environment.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Glass

Glass is an amorphous solid that is often transparent and has been pivotal in the evolution of laboratory science. In the video, glass is highlighted as the material of choice in chemistry laboratories due to its transparency, chemical durability, and ability to withstand certain temperatures. Examples from the script include its historical use by Egyptian pharmacists and the invention of glassblowing, which allowed for the mass production of glass objects like flasks and beakers.

💡Soda Lime Glass

Soda lime glass is a type of glass primarily composed of soda ash and lime, and is used for items not exposed to heating, such as microscope slides and Pasteur pipettes. The script mentions soda lime glass as being different from borosilicate glass, which is more suitable for laboratory apparatus due to its higher heat resistance.

💡Borosilicate Glass

Borosilicate glass, known for its greater resistance to thermal shock, is the preferred material for laboratory apparatus. The script introduces Pyrex, a brand of borosilicate glass introduced by Corning, which can be safely heated and cooled within a wide temperature range and is chemically durable for handling most chemicals.

💡Glassblowing

Glassblowing is a technique used to shape glass by blowing air into molten glass with a blowpipe. The script references the invention of glassblowing by Roman subjects in Phoenicia, which enabled the mass production of glass objects that are ancestors to modern laboratory equipment.

💡Thermal Shock

Thermal shock is the rapid change in temperature that can cause materials to crack or break. In the context of the video, it is mentioned as a potential hazard for glassware, especially when not heated or cooled gradually, emphasizing the importance of careful temperature management when handling glass in a laboratory setting.

💡Chemical Durability

Chemical durability refers to the ability of a material to resist chemical reactions that could cause it to deteriorate. The script highlights Pyrex glass's chemical durability, making it suitable for safely handling most chemicals in a laboratory without reacting with them.

💡Safety Equipment

Safety equipment is essential personal protective gear used to prevent injury in a laboratory setting. The video script stresses the importance of wearing proper safety equipment and eye protection when working with glass to prevent accidents such as breakage or chemical exposure.

💡Glassware

Glassware encompasses a variety of containers, instruments, and other objects made of glass, used in laboratories for holding, mixing, and conducting chemical reactions. The script provides several safety tips for handling and using glassware, such as inspecting for damage and avoiding certain practices that could lead to breakage.

💡Flaw

A flaw in the context of the video refers to any imperfection or damage in the glass, such as nicks or scratches, which can compromise the structural integrity of the glassware. The script warns against using flawed glassware and advises proper inspection before use to prevent breakage and injury.

💡Fire Polishing

Fire polishing is a process used to smooth and seal the edges of glass, typically after it has been cut. The script describes the process of fire polishing the cut ends of glass rods or tubing to remove sharp edges, which is an important safety measure to prevent injury.

💡PTFE

PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene, is a type of plastic known for its non-stick properties and chemical resistance. The script recommends using PTFE-coated stirring rods to prevent scratches on glassware and PTFE stopcocks as an alternative to glass ones that are contamination-free and less likely to freeze up.

Highlights

The historical influence of glass on the evolution of laboratory science, with ancient Egyptian pharmacists using glass vials for storing drugs.

Invention of glassblowing in Phoenicia, leading to mass production of glass objects like flasks and beakers.

Corning's history since 1851 and its advancements in understanding and working with glass.

Differences between soda lime and borosilicate glass, with soda lime used for non-heating applications and borosilicate for laboratory apparatus.

Introduction of Pyrex by Corning in 1915, known for its safety in heating and cooling and chemical durability.

The strength of glass in its natural state compared to granite or steel, and the process of tempering to increase strength.

The importance of proper cutting techniques for glass to prevent breakage and the use of safety equipment.

Tips for safely handling and storing glassware to prevent damage and ensure safety.

Proper handling of glassware to prevent flaws that can lead to breakage and injury.

The correct method for loosening frozen glass joints without causing damage.

Use of PTFE stopcocks as an alternative to glass to prevent freezing and contamination.

Safety precautions when using desiccators made from borosilicate glass like Corning Pyrex brand.

Careful insertion of glass tubing into rubber stoppers to avoid breakage.

The use of hex-shaped base cylinders for stability and safety.

Handling of rapid temperature changes to prevent thermal shock in glassware.

Cleaning and storage techniques for laboratory glass to maintain its integrity and safety.

Disposal methods for flawed, broken, or contaminated glassware with special considerations for safety.

Alternatives to glassware, such as reusable plastic made from compatible polymers for chemical resistance.

Summary of safety practices for working with glass in the laboratory, emphasizing the importance of safety equipment and careful handling.

Transcripts

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Takeaways

Q & A

What was the significance of glass in ancient Egyptian and Roman times?

What is the difference between soda lime and borosilicate glass in laboratories?

Why is Pyrex glass considered superior for laboratory use?

How does the process of glass formation affect its strength?

What is the purpose of tempering glass?

What safety equipment is necessary when cutting glass in a laboratory?

How should one handle a glass rod or tubing after cutting?

What is the correct way to loosen a frozen glass joint or desiccator cover?

Why is it important to inspect glassware for nicks and scratches before use?

What are some best practices for handling and storing glassware to prevent damage?

What alternatives to glassware are available for certain laboratory applications?