Performance comparison between high borosilicate glass and soda-lime glass

All the raw materials for glass bottles on the market are mainly divided into two categories: high borosilicate glass and soda-lime glass. The composition, performance and applicable scenarios of the two are vastly different. When purchasing glass bottles, the right material should be selected based on the storage requirements of the product to avoid potential safety hazards. Soda-lime glass is the most widely used basic material in the market. It is mainly made by melting silicon dioxide, calcium oxide and sodium oxide. The raw materials are readily available and the mass production cost is low. The beverage bottles, beer bottles, canned bottles and ordinary decorative glass bottles we see in our daily life all belong to soda-lime glass products.

Soda-lime glass has moderate light transmittance and is completely safe for storing food and beverages at normal room temperature. However, it has weak heat resistance and can only withstand a temperature difference of 60-80℃. Sudden temperature changes can easily cause it to crack, making it unsuitable for holding high-temperature liquids or for heating purposes. The chemical stability is average. There is a risk of trace precipitation when strong acid or alkali contents are stored for a long time. It is only suitable for products stored at room temperature.

High borosilicate glass is a type of special high-end glass. Its formula contains a large amount of boron oxide, and it has an extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion. It can withstand an instantaneous temperature difference of over 150℃. Even if it is taken out of a refrigerator and directly filled with boiling water, it is not prone to cracking. Its high-temperature resistance can reach over 400℃. At the same time, high borosilicate glass has the highest light transmittance, hardness, and chemical stability. It is resistant to acid and alkali corrosion and will not release harmful substances. It is widely used in pharmaceutical packaging, chemical reagent containers, heat-resistant beverage utensils, solar accessories, and high-end decorative bottles.

In terms of cost, the melting temperature of high borosilicate glass reaches 1600℃, the production process is strict, and its cost is several times that of soda-lime glass. It is mostly used in high value-added products. Soda-lime glass has an outstanding cost performance and is suitable for large-scale civilian packaging. A simple distinction in material selection logic: For ordinary alcoholic beverages, canned goods, and daily chemical packaging at room temperature, soda-lime glass is chosen. High borosilicate glass bottles are preferred for those that require heat resistance, long-term storage of pharmaceuticals, chemical liquids, and high-end heat-resistant equipment. A legitimate glass bottle manufacturer can match the corresponding materials and provide samples for testing based on the customer's budget and usage environment.