Types of glass used in pharmaceutical packaging

What is pharmaceutical glass

Pharmaceutical glass is a type of glass that is specifically designed and manufactured for use in the pharmaceutical industry. It is used to package and contain a variety of different medications, including tablets, capsules, liquids, and injectables. Pharmaceutical glass is made to meet strict quality standards and is designed to be chemically resistant, non-reactive, and able to maintain the integrity of the medication it is used to contain. There are several different types of pharmaceutical glass, including borosilicate glass, which is highly resistant to thermal shock, and soda-lime glass, which is more common and less expensive. Other properties that are important in pharmaceutical glass include transparency, strength, and the ability to withstand sterilization.

pharmaceutical glass types

Glass containers for pharmaceutical preparations are intended to be in direct contact with the pharmaceutical preparation. Glasses used for pharmaceutical containers are either borosilicate (neutral) glass or soda-lithium-silica glass. Borosilicate glass contains large amounts of boron oxide, aluminium oxide and alkali and/or alkaline earth oxides. Also glass containers should have a suitable closure system. Containers should be designed in such a way that the removal of the contents is unobstructed and suitable for the intended use of the formulation. The glass grain test combined with the surface glass test for hydrolysis resistance identifies the type of glass used for packaging pharmaceutical preparations. Glass containers provide varying degrees of protection and minimise loss of ingredients depending on the nature of the product and the hazards of the environment. Glass containers used for the packaging of pharmaceutical products must not interact physically or chemically with the contents in a way that would affect the quality of the pharmaceutical product. According to the USP and depending on the intended use, glass is also classified as Type I, Type II , Type III, Type IV or Type V

Type I Glass: This is the most common type of glass used in pharmaceutical packaging. It is a borosilicate glass that is highly resistant to thermal and chemical changes. It is also known for its durability and transparency.
Type I glass is a type of glass commonly used in pharmaceutical packaging. It is a high-quality, high-purity glass that is resistant to chemical attack and has low levels of contaminants. This makes it ideal for packaging medications, as it helps to ensure the integrity and safety of the drug. Type I glass is also known as USP Type I glass, which stands for United States Pharmacopeia Type I glass.

Type II Glass: This type of glass is also used in pharmaceutical packaging and is similar to Type I glass. It is also a borosilicate glass, but it is slightly more resistant to chemical changes and has a higher resistance to impact.
Type III Glass: This type of glass is known for its high resistance to thermal shock and is often used in the packaging of injectable drugs. It is a soda-lime glass that is highly transparent and has a low coefficient of expansion.
Type IV Glass: This type of glass is made from lead oxide and is known for its high resistance to chemical changes. It is often used in the packaging of high-potency drugs, as it provides an additional layer of protection against chemical degradation.
Type V Glass: This type of glass is made from borosilicate glass that has been treated with a coating to provide extra protection against UV light. It is commonly used in the packaging of photolabile drugs that are sensitive to light.

Founded in 1992, Four Star , a pharmaceutical glass tube manufacturer, focuses on the R&D, production and sales of pharmaceutical glass packaging materials, and has formed an integrated production and operation system of pharmaceutical neutral borosilicate glass tubes and glass containers. Now our company has 6 furnaces for neutral borosilicate glass tube, 20 production lines, more than 400 machines for vials and ampoules, and the annual production capacity of 50000 tons of neutral borosilicate glass tubes and 5 billion pcs of neutral borosilicate glass containers.

If you are interested in our pharmaceutical borosilicate glass, please feel free to contact us!

This article is mainly from the news page of Four Star Glass.