Lab Bottles

Laboratory Bottles

Frequently Asked Questions

The brown bottle commonly seen in a chemistry lab is called an amber bottle or an amber glass bottle. Amber-colored glass protects light-sensitive substances from degradation caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light (within the 290 - 450 nm wavelength range). Amber bottles commonly store light-sensitive chemicals that can undergo degradation or photochemical reactions in the presence of UV light.

The capacity markings on the lab bottles indicating capacity have a tolerance level of either ± 5% or ± 10%. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) number 4796-1:2016 does not state any nominal capacity or graduations tolerance. Because the bottles are not certified or sold as “volumetric measurement devices,” the capacity indicators should only be used as a general guide.

You can identify the nominal value by reading it off the bottle. We’ve marked the total (working/nominal) capacity as a circular indent in the "shoulder ring" of the GL bottle. This arrangement is specified in the ISO standard 4796-1:2000, "Laboratory glassware -- Bottles -- Part 1: Screw-neck bottles".

Laboratory bottles are generally not ideal for use under pressure or vacuum. However, for pressure or vacuum applications that require laboratory bottles, we recommend the DURAN® pressure plus+ protect bottle range, or the DURAN® pressure plus+ amber bottle range. Remember that the plastic coating of laboratory bottles, such as DURAN® protect or KimCote®, does not influence pressure resistance, and safety-coated products are not designed for use under pressure.

No. Only bottles manufactured from polypropylene can be autoclaved.

The maximum permissible operating temperature for a borosilicate glass lab bottle is +500 °C when used for a short time – less than 10 hours. Above a temperature of +525 °C, the glass begins to soften, and above a temperature of +860 °C, the glass changes to a liquid state.

The starting point is a clear borosilicate 3.3 glass bottle. The bottle then undergoes a unique ion diffusion process, creating an amber layer on the glass bottle with good chemical durability.

The amber DURAN® meets the requirements of USP <671> and Eur.Ph. 3.2.1. for protection against ultraviolet (UV) light. KIMBLE® RAY-SORB® meets the requirements of USP <671> EP 3.2.1. and JP 7.01 Section 5 for protection against UV light.

None of the standard plastic or glass laboratory bottles have been designed or tested with a centrifuge. However, the KIMAX® 200mL heavy-duty glass centrifuge bottles made by DWK Life Sciences are suitable for centrifuging.

Glass is much more corrosion-resistant than most materials. Borosilicate glass 3.3 is highly resistant to water, acids, saline solutions, organic substances, and halogens such as chlorine, and bromine. Its resistance to alkali is relatively high. However, only concentrated hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, and strong alkalis at high temperatures (+100 °C) can cause appreciable surface removal of the glass (i.e., glass corrosion).

Both the DURAN® protect, and the KimCote® plastic-coated bottles can be autoclaved or steam-sterilized at 121 °C (20 minutes). In addition, the DURAN® protect bottles can be autoclaved at 134 °C. Dry heat resistance is 110 °C KimCote®, and 135 °C DURAN® protect. Please note that the temperature resistance only applies for short-time exposure of less than 30 minutes.

Recycling suitability depends on the type or chemical composition of the glass. Soda-lime bottles, for example, can be recycled at a standard facility.

However, you should not dispose of borosilicate laboratory glass bottles (DURAN® / WHEATON® /KIMBLE® KIMAX®) in normal bottle banks. This is because their high melting point can create problems when mixed with other glass cullet (soda-lime glass) for recycling. Instead, the customer is responsible for correct disposal, which is with the general household waste (residual waste) following the relevant guidelines and regulations.

Setting up a dedicated recycling system only for borosilicate glass types is not economical. Its market is relatively small, typically consisting of laboratory glassware, some special lighting products, and glass cookware.