Different Types Of Glass Containers And Their Uses

Glass containers are among the oldest and most widely used forms of packaging. From face cream to medicines, glass containers are quite the versatile storage solution. It gives off a classic look.

The fight that it’s also 100% recyclable and reusable also works in its favor. Helping reduce global environmental pollution, glass is a more eco-friendly alternative to other packaging materials. And since a lot of companies and businesses are pledging to ‘go green,’ glass containers automatically become a popular packaging option.

Here are the different types of glass used for making containers.

Type I Glass Containers

Also known as borosilicate glass or neutral glass, type I glass containers are used contain around 80% silica, 10% boric oxide, and some amount of aluminum oxide and sodium oxide.

Due to the presence of boric oxide in its chemical composition, this type of glass container is high hydrolytic resistant and chemically inert. It also possesses high thermal shock characteristics as well as the lowest level of expansion.

The Uses of Type I Glass Containers

Type I glass containers can be used as a packaging material for a variety of things. Due to their high hydrolytic resistance, they can also be used to store potent acids and alkalis.

Type II Glass Containers

Also known as soda-lime-silica glass, de-alkalized soda lime glass, or treated soda-lime glass; type II glass containers are also hydrolytic resistant as a result of sulfur treatment. This helps remove any leachable oxides from the material in order to prevent the bottles from blooming or weathering. It also has a lower melting point as compared to Type I glass, so it can also be easily molded.

The Uses of Type II Glass Containers

Type II glass containers can suitably store neutral or acidic aqueous compositions.

Type III Glass Containers

Also known as regular soda lime glass, Type III glass containers are made of untreated soda lime and feature a moderate chemical resistance level. The glass type contains 75% silica, 15% sodium oxide, 10% calcium oxide, and some amount of potassium oxide, magnesium oxide, and aluminum oxide. Magnesium oxide helps reducing the temperature level required for molding the glass and aluminum oxide affects the chemical durability of the glass.

The Uses of Type III Glass Containers

Type III glass containers are suitable for storing powders, freeze-dried items, as well any non-aqueous preparations.

Type IV Glass Containers

Known as general purpose soda lime glass or type NP glass, type IV glass containers have the lowest hydrolytic resistance out of all types.

The Uses of Type IV Glass Containers

Type IV glass containers are usually used for topical creams or oral consumption items.

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