Differences between soda-lime glass and borosilicate glass?

Answer 1

Soda lime glass made from sand (silicon dioxide), soda (Sodium hydroxide or carbonate) and lime (limestone or other calcium source) The soda makes the sand melt about 2000F instead of about 3000F and the calcium makes it water resistant (sodium silicate is water glass and dissolves in water)

Borosilicate is glass made from sand and boron compounds. The advantage is that it has a much lower coefficient of expansion (COE) which means it doesn't change size much when heated, which means it doesn't crack when heated. The disadvantage is that while it softens when heated in a torch, it doesn't flow much and needs to be heated hotter than soda lime.

Boro is used for scientific glass apparatus and for art projects as well as cookware in the home. When you see someone working glass in a mall or arts showcase with a torch with a strong blue flame, they are working boro, in part because it can heat and cool without cracking with less care than is needed for soda lime.

Answer 2

Soda-lime glass is more common and less expensive than borosilicate glass, but it is more prone to thermal expansion and may shatter when exposed to rapid temperature changes. Borosilicate glass is more heat-resistant due to its lower thermal expansion coefficient, making it ideal for laboratory glassware and kitchenware that needs to withstand high temperatures.