First, let’s answer go over what a heavy-duty beaker is. A beaker is a piece of lab equipment that is used to measure, heat, and stir liquid. It is more commonly made of glass and has a rounded shape with a flat bottom.
Medlabgear.com offers a variety of beakers for your needs. Beakers are made using three different materials.
- Plastic
Plastic beakers cannot be placed over an open flame or used on a hot plate. Most plastic beakers cannot be used with strong acids, although there are some exceptions such a Nalgene Griffin Low form PFA and Nalgene PFA Graduated. These plastic beakers are meant to withstand harsh chemicals and high temperatures. The benefit of plastic is that you do not have to worry about cracking and shattering.
- Metal
Metal beakers can be safely heated to high temperatures as well as heated over an open flame or on a hotplate. They do not corrode over time and are easy to clean. The downfall is that they are not transparent which can make measuring difficult and they are a little on the expensive side.
- Glass
The glass beaker doesn’t react with most substances that it encounters. It can withstand high temperatures without expanding much and used over an open flame. It is clear, so you can see your measurements as you pour. Glass beakers are also easy to clean.
Features of a Heavy Duty Beaker
A heavy-duty beaker is made to have thick walls with a heavy base to make it sturdier. These beakers are built to last longer and less likely to break. They are designed to be durable enough to withstand high temperatures, and some can be placed directly on a hot plate. Thermal shock can cause pressure on a glass, and this pressure can cause the glass to form a crack. Heavy duty glass beakers are made using borosilicate glass which is a glass that is strong enough to resist any thermal shock. Borosilicate glass can be heated over an open flame as well as placed directly on a hot plate. Two brands that use the borosilicate glass are Pyrex and Kimax. Nalgene plastic beakers are made as a safer alternative to glass beakers for those who prefer plastic over glass. They are designed for long-term use and meet the international standard for lab safe plastic.
Other Features of Heavy Duty Beakers
Heavy duty beakers are double-graduated metric scale to give you a more accurate measurement. Most beakers are not designed to provide precise measurements. They also help you measure with oversized marking spots.
What Makes a Beaker Heavy-Duty?
The material of the beaker depends on the intended use. Most labs use glass beakers, but plastic beakers are made to fit the heavy-duty standards and are better for more substantial amounts of liquid due to the light weight of the plastic. Metal beakers are also designed for heavy duty lab use as well due to the non-corrosive materials used to make it.
- A beaker that can withstand higher temperatures without cracking, shattering or melting.
- It must not react with harsh chemicals, corrode, or melt.
- A beaker that is made to last an extended period and is durable.
