Glass packaging is highly common for use in the pharmaceutical industry. They 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 sterilize, great for protecting the contents from ultraviolet rays, do not react with chemicals inside, and are often transparent to 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.
To find out more about the types of glasses, what they offer, how they are used, and more, then continue reading.
How Are Glass Containers Made?
Glass containers 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 then tested before use, to ensure that the glass container will be 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% of boric oxide, and small quantities of both sodium oxide and aluminium oxide.
All type I glass containers are suitable for both parenteral and non-parenteral preparations.
What Is Type II Glass?
Type II glass containers are very similar to type III glass, so much so that they are considered as modified type III glass containers.
Like type I containers, and type III, type II has a high hydrolytic resistance, which makes them highly resistant to hot water. This makes them suitable to resist reactions and therefore, helps the contents to remain in their original state.
The difference between type II and type III glass containers is that the inside of type II containers is treated with sulfur.
The difference between type II and type I glass containers is that type II glass has a lower melting point. They are 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 made up of 75% silica, 15% sodium oxide, and 10% calcium oxide. The remaining 5% of the glass consists of small amounts of magnesium, potassium, and aluminium oxides. The use of these small quantities helps the glass become more versatile. The aluminium oxide benefits the glass as it improves its chemical durability. Meanwhile, the magnesium oxide helps the glass become easier to mould at lower temperatures.
Type III glasses can be used in parenteral and non-parenteral practices, as well as being suitable for storing aqueous solutions. This type of glass is much more versatile.
The Key Differences
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.
Manufacturing process
The manufacturing process of the glass types varies depending on the industry. The listed manufacturing processes of glass containers are listed above.
Cost
Type III glass is the most affordable and type I glass is the most expensive. Type III glass is more readily available, due to type I glass needing extra manufacturing to make it more durable and resistant. Type II glass costs a little more than type III glass seeing as it requires a sulfur treatment (and sometimes dye) to help it resist UV rays.
Availability
The most common glass is type III, which makes up 90% of glass production worldwide. Hence, type III glass is much more readily available.
With a treatment of sulfur on the inside, type III glass transforms into type II glass. Hence, it can be readily available too.
Type I is less available due to its more excessive manufacturing process, which makes it more durable.
Use
Type III glass is the most common packaging solution for pharmaceuticals, as well as 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 bottle can block UV rays and therefore, protect the contents from the reaction.
Type I glass is more common for pharmaceutical use only, as they provide greater heat and chemical resistance, which makes them more reliable and much 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. For practices and preparations that require more durable and resistant packaging, type I glass is highly recommended. It can resist heat as well as thermal shock and chemicals, which makes 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 is ideal and practical.
Type II glass is suitable for medical preparations that require blockage from UV rays. The colourants used on type II glass helps them become protective for chemicals that can easily react to light. Choosing the right type of glass will benefit your preparations due to the easiness of sterilisation, safety, and resistance.
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