Glass is highly common in pharmaceutical packaging. The many glass types offer an abundance of benefits, which are essential for the longevity, concentration, and safety of what is stored inside.
They are ideal for packaging solutions as they are easy to sterilise, great for protecting the contents from ultraviolet rays, do not react with chemicals inside, and are often transparent so that you can easily see what’s inside.
Although all types of glass can offer the above benefits, it is important to be aware that there are various types of glasses and all offer different properties, prices, use, manufacturing, and availability. Continue reading to learn more about the types of glasses, what they offer, how they are used, and more.
How Are Types of Glass Containers Made?
Glass vials, jars and bottles for pharmaceutical practices are created using various methods. The most common include:
- Blowing – compressing air into molten glass.
- Drawing – pulling molten glass through dies that shape the glass.
- Pressing – moulds the glass using mechanical force.
- Casting – uses the force of gravity to force and initiate the shape of the glass.
All methods are tested before use to ensure that the glass container is safe and effective for pharmaceutical use.
What Is Type I Glass?
Type I glass consists of various elements, all of which are great at resisting chemicals of strong acids and alkalis.
It is made up of 80% silica, 10% boric oxide, and small quantities of both sodium oxide and aluminium oxide. All Type I glass containers are suitable for both parenteral preparations (such as vaccines, antibiotics and anaesthetics) and non-parenteral preparations (such as creams, lotions and wellbeing products).
What Is Type II Glass?
Type II glass bottles are very similar to Type III glass, so much so that they are considered modified Type III glass bottles.
Like Type I and Type III glass, Type II has a high hydrolytic resistance, which makes it highly resistant to hot water. This makes it suitable for resisting reactions and helps the contents remain in their original state.
The difference between Type II and Type III glass bottles is that the inside of Type II bottles is treated with sulphur.
The difference between Type II and Type I glass containers is that Type II glass has a lower melting point. Type I glass is great at protecting the contents from weathering. However, Type II glass is much easier to mould yet less likely to withstand hot environments.
The easy-to-mould glass makes it suitable for storing neutral aqueous and acidic chemicals.
What Is Type III Glass?
Type III glass is roughly comprised of just under 75% silica, 15% sodium oxide, and 10% calcium oxide, respectively. The remaining percentage consists of small amounts of magnesium, potassium, and aluminium oxides. These small quantities help the glass become more versatile. The aluminium oxide benefits the glass as it improves its chemical durability. Meanwhile, magnesium oxide helps the glass to mould more easily at lower temperatures.
Type III glasses are much more versatile and can be used in parenteral and non-parenteral practices. They are also suitable for storing aqueous solutions.
The Key Differences Between Glass Types
Although the types of glass boast similarities, such as being made up of similar materials and being suitable for similar preparations, there are some key differences:
The Manufacturing Process of Glass Types
The manufacturing process of the glass types varies depending on the industry. The manufacturing processes of glass containers are listed above.
The Cost of the Glass Types
Type III glass is the most affordable, and Type I glass is the most expensive. Type III glass is more readily available because Type I glass needs extra manufacturing to be more durable and resistant. Type II glass costs a little more than Type III glass because it requires a sulphur treatment (and sometimes dye) to help it resist UV rays.
The Availability of Types of Glass
The most common glass is Type III, which accounts for 90% of glass production worldwide and is much more readily available.
With a sulphur treatment on the inside, Type III glass transforms into Type II glass, which can also be readily available.
Type I is less available due to its sophisticated manufacturing process, which makes it more durable.
The Uses of the Types of Glass Bottles
Type III glass is the most common packaging solution for pharmaceutical glass bottle packaging and everyday household containers. It is often referred to as soda-lime-silica glass and makes up 90% of the world’s glass containers.
Type II is less chemically stable and is, therefore, less common than Type III glass. It is ideal for chemicals that can react to light in pharmaceutical preparations as Type II glass is often dyed. The colour of the glass packaging can block UV rays and therefore protect the contents from the reaction.
Type I glass is more common for pharmaceutical glass vials, as it provides greater heat and chemical resistance, which makes it more reliable and safer. Type I glass is often referred to as borosilicate glass and is used for heat products, such as light bulbs, fire glass, storing jet fuel, and acid.
Overall, there are plenty of options to choose from for pharmaceutical packaging solutions. Type I glass is highly recommended for practices and preparations requiring more durable and resistant packaging. It can resist heat, thermal shock, and chemicals, making it much safer and ensures that the contents will not be affected. For those seeking more affordable and less durable packaging, Type III and Type II glass are ideal and practical.
Order Types of Glass Containers at Origin Today
You can find a whole selection of quality glass bottles, vials and jars available at Origin today. With glass dropper bottles, glass jars, and more options available, you can find the most suitable packaging for your organisation from our range. If you’d like to find out more about the types of glass, you can read our pharma packaging blogs for further insight.
If you’d like to ask us anything about our range of glass containers, get in touch with us today and a member of our team will be more than happy to help.
