Glasses & Materials

At Yankee Glassblower, Inc., we focus on using the right products for your specific project. We maintain a diverse inventory of different types of glass, and are knowledgeable on each one. Clients in Boston, Massachusetts, and surrounding areas come to us for expert manufacturing of scientific glass.

Glass Peruse our glass selection to ensure your custom glassware is made to your specifications. We utilize: Pyrex™ — a registered name of the Corning Corporation, this refers to common borosilicate glass with an expansion of 3.25x10-6 cm/cm/°C. It is readily available, and can easily be heated and formed. Components are readily available, including ground joint valves. Laboratory glassware is Pyrex, and has a maximum working temperature of 490°C or 1500°F. Lime Glass — a soft glass with an expansion of 9.35x10-6 cm/cm/°C, it can be easily heated and formed, and is often used in household windows. However, the high expansion rate increases the likelihood of thermal cracking.

Lead Glass — so named because of the 25% or more lead-oxide content in its chemical make-up, this high expansion glass (8.93x10^-6 cm/cm/°C) can be sealed directly onto metals such as Platinum. It is commonly used in Neon signs, and has been replaced commercially by Barium Strontium Glass for environmental reasons.

Corning 7052 — this glass was specially designed by Corning Corporation for creating a vacuum tight seal when joined to Kovar. It has an expansion of 4.7x10^-6 cm/cm/°C and a maximum temperature of 420°C

Aluminosilicate — a very dense glass, ideal for containing gases such as helium and hydrogen, as well as alkali metals. This glass has a high expansion of 4.2x10^-6 cm/cm/°C and a maximum temperature of 650°C

Other Materials

Yankee Glassblower, Inc. also combines glass with other high-quality materials for great results, including:

Fused Silica — commonly called quartz, it has a rigid crystal structure therefore is not technically a glass. It is, in essence, pure sand that has been fused together. This creates a very high working temperature of 1200°C and a very low expansion of 550x10^-9 cm/cm/°C. Quartz is used when high temperature or concern from sodium contamination is an issue. Softening temperature: 1585°C

Kovar — is a nickel and cobalt alloy with a controlled expansion. It is ideal for any glass-to-metal seal when used with a compatible glass such as Corning 7052.

Mullite — is a ceramic that can with stand temperatures above 1500°C, it can be sealed to Pyrex if properly prepared. Mullite is susceptible to thermal shock.