When it comes to glassware products and we purchase glassware, choosing just the right material of the glass determines the market share and popularity of our glass products. Two types that are used in everyday life are borosilicate glass and soda-lime glass, each of which has its own set of applications that makes drinking water, drinking many different kinds of wine, storing food, decorating the home, and other functions possible.

Borosilicate Glass & Soda-lime Glass Material

As shown in the table below the soda-lime glass most common form of glass produced. It is composed of about 70.5% silica (SiO2),13.16% Sodium Oxide (Na2O), and 9.58% calcium oxide (CaO), with much smaller amounts of various other compounds.

High Borosilicate glass is a type of glass that contains boron trioxide which allows for a very low coefficient of thermal expansion. This means it will not crack under extreme temperature changes like regular glass. Borosilicate glasses are known for having very low coefficients of thermal expansion (≈3 × 10−6 K−1 at 20 °C), making them more resistant to thermal shock than any other common glass. its durability has made it the glass of choice for high-end restaurants, laboratories and wineries.

Effect Of Temperature On Borosilicate Glass And Soda-lime Glass

When it comes to thermal shock resistance, the glass has a Coefficient of linear thermal expansion or CTE, this determines how well the glass material can withstand high thermal shock ranges or extremely rapid temperature changes, which is usually required when the glass is made, tempered, or shaped. The lower this value is, then the easier it is to shape. The lower the number, the easier it is to shape the glass. While Borosilicate can withstand a range of about 170 degrees Celsius due to its low CTE, Soda-Lime has a much higher CTE that prevents it from tolerating high heat changes, so the borosilicate glass cup all can pass the extreme cold and extreme heat test.

How To Choose The Best Glassware

When you knowing which type to purchase in your glassware and other glassware product can ensure that you’re getting top-notch quality and the appropriate material for good-quality glass that will last. To help you figure out what you need to purchase, here are some of the main advantages and different application scenarios between borosilicate and soda-lime glass.

First of all, the high borosilicate glass and soda-lime glass are divided into mouth-blown (Hand-made) products, machine-blown products, machine pressed products. And soda-lime glass is also divided into mouth-blown (Hand-made) products and machine-blown products. Different technology, different materials and different origin are one of the important factors affecting the price. So we need to choose the right product for our customer or market.

Classification Of High Borosilicate Glass

For borosilicate glass of Machine Blown, the MOQ is 50K~60K. It only suits the Stemless Glass Tumblers, Highball, and drinking cup. It includes all the advantages of Mouth Blown of Soda-lime Glass (Barium Potassium Glass), and the quality can compare to Crystal Glass; Heat Resistant and Dishwasher Safe and Microware Safe. Since it is Machine Blown, the tolerance is minimal and could be almost negligible. More importantly, the price is very low. The only limitation is that it is only applicable to Stemless Glassware. And they have the following advantages:

1. Without Stem, Single Layer;

2. MOQ requirements are moderate, the MOQ is 50k~60k;

3. Machine Blown, the tolerance is minimal and could be almost negligible;

4. Including all the advantages of Mouth Blown of Soda-lime Glass (Barium Potassium Glass), and the quality can compare to Crystal Glass;

5. Glass mouth adopts laser cutting, and the edge is very straight, without any roll or wave;

6. Heat Resistant and Dishwasher Safe and Microware Safe;

7. More importantly, the price is very low.

8. Borosilicate glass by machine-blown is that all glass mouth adopts laser cutting, and the edge is very straight, without any roll or wave.

For high borosilicate glass of Hand-blown (Hand-made), It has a wide range of applications, such as suits all double-walled glass cups and single-layer heat resistant drinking cups, water carafes, coffee pitchers, and some unique candle holders and art crafts. and there have the following advantages:

1. MOQ is few, usually, the MOQ is 3000 pieces;

2. Heat Resistant, Dishwasher Safe and Microware Safe;

3. The better hand feeling; Light, slim, and elegant;

4. Mouth-blown, completely handmade, the tolerances are greater than machine-made glass;

5. Usually, the price is relatively expensive.

In order to help you have a good idea of when it is better to use borosilicate glass or soda-lime glass, we have prepared the following table for your reference.

Classification Of Soda-lime Glass

Secondly, we need to know the 3 production methods of soda-lime glass, respectively, mouth-blown soda-lime glass, machine-blown soda-lime glass, and machine-pressed soda-lime glass. These 3 produce methods have different advantages and disadvantages respectively. In the procurement process, buyers can choose the best way according to their requirements.

For a soda-lime glass of mouth-blown(Hand-made), it suits most the drinking cups, tumblers, highball glasses, drinking goblets glass, all kinds of wine glasses, wine decanters, glass candle holders, glass water pitchers, storage jars, glass vases, kitchen glasswares, and home decoration glasses. Apparently, the soda-lime glass of mouth-blown also has many features as below:

1. MOQ is few, usually, the MOQ is 3000 pieces;

2. Good shapeable;

3. Usually, no sizes limit;

4. High transparency, good finish(Much more transparent than machine-made glass);

5. The better hand feeling than machine-made glass, much more Light, slim, and elegant;

6. Because it is mouth-blown, completely handmade, the tolerances are greater than machine-made glass;

7. Because it is mouth-blown, completely handmade, there are some slight defects that cannot remove completely in mass production, such as bubbles and flow line, etc;

8. Production lead time is longer than machine-made glass;

9. Usually, the price is relatively high than machine-made glass.

For a soda-lime glass machine blown, it is suitable for some drinking cups, drinking goblets, wine glasses, glass tumblers, glass bottles, and small glass jars in special size ranges. And it also has 2 very important features: 

1. The MOQ is huge, usually, the MOQ is 150k~200k;

2. The price is relatively cheap.

For a soda-lime glass machine pressed, it is suitable for some heavy glass products with a wall thickness of over 5mm. it also has 2 very important features: 1. MOQ requirements are moderate, usually, the MOQ is 10k~50k; 2. Wall Thickness: over 3~5mm, even more; 3. The price is relatively cheap.

High Borosilicate And Soda-lime Glass Relative Price And Quantity Comparison

Thirdly, in order to help the buyer has a good idea of when it is better to use borosilicate glass or soda-lime glass, we have especially summarized the following table for your reference. 

Understanding the differences between the applications of soda-lime glass and borosilicate glass is essential to know that your glassware is of the right grade and appropriate for use. Appreciating the superior strength and advantages of borosilicate glass with its resistance to heat and breakage make it the perfect material for glassware in your homes, such as double-walled glass cups, glass coffee cups, glass milk cups, filter glass jugs, glass bottles, glass jars, and other glassware product! 

In conclusion, the final price of glassware products depends on the material, production technique, post-treatment, size, quantity, packaging requirements, etc. For specific glassware products, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with MASSHINE Corp and obtain a more accurate quotation. Any questions, please email cathy.jia@masshine.com or call us directly.