Glass tubes are primarily cylindrical hollow structures, which offer various applications due to their unique shapes and the expansive range of glass types available, such as borosilicate, flint, aluminosilicate, soda lime, lead, and quartz glass. This versatility allows their use in fields including laboratory glassware, lighting systems, solar thermal designs, and pharmaceutical packaging, among others.

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Historically, scientists built custom laboratory equipment before interchangeable ground glass joints became common. Today, commercially manufactured parts with ground glass joints are preferred; however, specialized glassware remains custom-made using commercially available glass tubes by skilled glassblowers. A perfect example is a Schlenk line, which consists of two large glass tubes connected by stopcocks and smaller tubes linked to plastic hoses.

Industrial Relevance

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Compared to materials like plastics, glass cylindrical semi-finished products are highly valued. The challenges associated with forming glass in three dimensions play a significant role in this. Thus, a cylindrical shape serves as a natural starting point for creating hollow glass objects.

Cylindrical glass tubes present the following advantages:

• Lowest surface area with a compact design
• Exceptional mechanical strength against pressure and impact
• Automation of further processing due to their symmetrical form

When comparing to molded glass, the tube drawing process attributes include:

• Improved optical clarity
• More uniform wall thickness distribution
• Higher precision in volume and geometry overall

History

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Prior to the 19th century, glass tubes were solely made through mouth-blowing, resulting in discontinuous manufacturing. E. Danner from Libbey Glass Company pioneered the first continuous tube drawing method in the US, patented in the following years. Meanwhile, L. Sanches-Vello developed a vertical drawing process in France.

Manufacturing Process

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Glass tubes can be created using different types of glass with diameters ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters. Most production procedures involve drawing an "infinitely long" glass tube directly from molten glass, from which approximately 1.5 m lengths are cut after passing through a roller track to the drawing apparatus.

Production line for vertical tube drawing, right hand: glass tube in free sag, roller track, drawing machine, and take-off device, packaging

The methods for drawing glass tubes vary based on direction:

Drawing direction horizontal

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Danner process

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In the Danner process, molten glass runs downwards onto an inclined, rotating ceramic hollow cylinder (the Danner pipe). Compressed air is blown through the hollow pipe to prevent collapse while drawing the glass tube off in a horizontal direction.

Maintaining a constant drawing speed while increasing the blow pressure results in larger diameters and thinner walls; tube diameters from 2 to 60 mm can be achieved.

Vello process

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The Vello process has a similar setup, but instead of using a mandrel, the glass flows through an annular opening, inflating the tube with compressed air. Tube diameters from 1.5 to 70 mm can be produced, and this method offers higher throughput with the ability to use volatile glass materials.

Both Danner and Vello processes yield finely crafted thin-walled glass tubes with daily production capacities nearing 55 tonnes.

SCHOTT Tubing currently holds the world record for the longest continuously drawn glass tube in one piece at 10 m.

Drawing direction downwards (down-draw)

Similar to the Vello technique, the down-draw method pulls glass vertically without deflecting the tube. The world record for this method is with SCHOTT Tubing at 460 mm, offering wall thicknesses up to 15 mm.

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Drawing direction vertically upwards (vertical drawing)

This process draws the glass tube from the bath surface rather than using a mandrel. However, due to the low quality and drawing speed, this method is rarely utilized in practice.

Further procedures

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For large-diameter glass tubes (20 to 100 cm), used in the chemical industry, the production methods include centrifugation or blowing. However, these processes are limited to producing relatively short lengths.

Modifying

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Glass tubing is often modified for various applications, including laboratory glass, pharmaceutical packaging, and diode encapsulants. Modifications may include cutting, bending, or reshaping through applied heat or mechanical tools. Although less common today, fundamental techniques such as using a glass cutter remain widely understood.

For general glass cutting, flame polishing is applied to smooth sharp edges, and bending is performed over a flame until red-hot. Hose barbs can also be integrated for a secure connection to plastic or rubber tubing.

Applications

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Glass tubes are not limited to cylindrical forms but can be shaped into rectangles, triangles, and stars. They are crafted from different types of glass and utilized across multiple sectors including pharmaceuticals, industrial technology, environmental technology, and electronics.

Manufacturers

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Numerous companies specialize in producing glass tubes from specialized glass types, enabling a wide range of applications. Renowned manufacturers include:

• Four Stars Glass Tube Co., Ltd.
• Nipro Glass
• Corning Pharmaceutical Glass
• SCHOTT AG

References

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Glass Tube of Various Diameter and Thickness

Glass tubes are constructed from soda-lime, borosilicate, or quartz materials, boasting a wide range of quality. These tubes find extensive application in laboratories, the chemical industry, biological sectors, and gardening.

Based on their dimensional accuracy, glass tubes are categorized into normal, precision, and heavyweight capillary tubes. We can achieve a minimum tolerance of 0.005 mm, necessitating advanced technology. Our glass tubes exhibit stable chemical properties, resistance to various acids and alkalis, and can endure high temperatures for extended periods.

Given their excellent chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties, tight tolerances, and variable dimensions, glass tubes serve numerous functions in daily life, industry, and laboratories.

GT-1: The straight polished glass tubes demonstrate excellent thermal and chemical properties.

The straight polished glass tubes demonstrate excellent thermal and chemical properties.

GT-2: Various sizes of tubes are employed in different equipment.

Various sizes of tubes are employed in different equipment.

Specification

Glass tubes diameter and tolerance

• Inside diameter: Normal glass tube: 5-500 mm, Tolerance: 0.5 mm
  Outside diameter: 5.1-550 mm, Tolerance: 0.5 mm
• Inside diameter: Precision glass tube: 5-500 mm, Tolerance: 0.005 mm
  Outside diameter: 5.1-550 mm, Tolerance: 0.005 mm
• Inside diameter: Heavy wall capillary tube: 0.025-0.508 mm, Tolerance: 0.02 mm
  Outside diameter: 0.5-6.4 mm, Tolerance: 0.4 mm

We will meticulously check the outside diameter, thickness, and length to maintain tolerance within specified limits.

GT-3: The heavy wall capillary tubes possess strong acid and alkali resistance as well as high-temperature endurance.

The heavy wall capillary tubes possess strong acid and alkali resistance as well as high-temperature endurance.

GT-4: The precision glass tubes necessitate advanced technology to fulfill the criteria for precision instruments.

The precision glass tubes necessitate advanced technology to fulfill the criteria for precision instruments.

Glass tubes thermal properties

• Material: soda-lime, borosilicate, quartz.
• Diameter and Tolerance
• Length: 10 mm - mm.
• Color: red, green, pink, yellow, etc.
• Edge handling: polishing.
• Thermal properties

Features and Advantages

• Acid and alkali resistance
  The acid and alkali resistance, especially with quartz glass, is substantial as it's non-reactive with any acid except hydrofluoric acid. The stability of glass surpasses ceramic by 30 times and stainless steel by 150 times.
• Tight dimensional tolerance
  Our dimensions are precise, with tight tolerances. Customization can also be facilitated based on requirements.
• Low coefficient of thermal expansion
  The thermal expansion coefficient is low, with a softening point reaching > °C, thereby allowing the glass tube to withstand high temperatures.
• Precise Boring
  Precision glass tubes achieve tolerances as small as 0.005 mm.
• Excellent Outward Appearance
  Clear, bright, and polished, our glass tubes can also be colored based on specifications.

Application

• Glass tubes in laboratories
  Thanks to their stable chemical properties, a variety of sizes serves as connecting pipes, guiding tubes, etc., widely utilized in chemical and biological labs.
• Glass tubes in chemical, petrochemical, biochemical pharmaceutical, military, metallurgy, and water treatment industries.
• Glass tubes as decoration
  The clarity and transparency of these tubes render them perfect for decorative purposes in homes, hotels, and restaurants.
• Glass tubes in gardening
  They can be effectively used for cultivating plants and storing seeds.
• Glass tubes in renewable energy sectors.
• Glass tubes in lighting designs.

GT-5: Transparent glass tubes facilitate easy observation of experiments.

Transparent glass tubes facilitate easy observation of experiments.

GT-6: The transparent design allows ample sunlight for plants while enabling observation of growth processes.

The transparent design allows ample sunlight for plants while enabling observation of growth processes.

Package and Transportation

• To minimize breakage, glass tubes are packaged in five-layer corrugated cartons or pallets with foam or bubble wrap.
• Pursuant to customer requirements, customized packaging for glass tubes can also be arranged.

GT-7: Foam-packed glass tubes are further secured in cartons to prevent breakage.

Foam-packed glass tubes are further secured in cartons to prevent breakage.

GT-8: All glass tubes are securely packed in cartons.

All glass tubes are securely packed in cartons.

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