Personal Safety
When treated with proper care borosilicate glass 3.3 laboratory apparatus will give long and satisfactory service. It is ecologically harmless and can be reused and recycled many times. The following notes have been prepared to assist users in obtaining the maximum life from their apparatus:
Initial Cleaning
Initial cleaning before first use can improve the filtration performance. We therefore recommend mild cleaning of the glass filters and instruments with warm water or warm, diluted (~10%) hydrochloric acid before first use, followed by rinsing with distilled water to remove dust and loose particles. Glassfilters should be cleaned immediately after their use. The surfaces can be wiped with a soft squeegee or brush. Surface rinsing with a wash bottle or back-flushing under the water tap is often sufficient.
Pressure and Vacuum
Due to the mechanical properties, a vacuum- or pressure resistance of glass cannot be guaranteed. Even small scratches or internal abrasions of the glass surface can greatly reduce the mechanical and thermal strength. Filter pores may clog during filtration and cause a pressure drop - in any case 0,1 MPa may not be exceeded. Never subject glassware to sudden pressure changes.
Temperature Resistance
The maximum allowable service temperature is approx. 500°C. To avoid permanent stress, careful heating and cooling according to the schedule for borosilicate glass 3.3 should be ensured. Wet glass filters should slowly be heated up to 80°C and dried for one hour before temperature is increased. Permanent stress can reduce the mechanical and thermal resistance. Never subject glassware to sudden temperature changes.
Chemical Resistance
High concentrations of hydrofluoric acid or hot alkali solutions attack the glass and can cause a deterioration in the filter and increase of the pore size.
Safety Advice
When working with glassware always wear protective glasses and gloves to avoid injuries. Use safety screen, -hood or similar protection when working with glassware subject to pressure or vacuum. Be prepared, that reagents may leak from a broken vessel.
Please heed these guidelines in combination with the respective state-specific regulations "Laboratory Guidelines BGI GUV".
