In 1998, Pyrex made a shift to their manufacturing process and switched from employing borosilicate glass to tempered soda-lime glass. The modification was made to lower production costs, but it also had an impact on the glass’s quality. Although borosilicate glass is more resistant to thermal shock than tempered soda-lime glass, the latter is nevertheless a strong and resilient material.
Customers who were accustomed to the premium borosilicate glass that Pyrex was known for were very upset by this move. Even some customers said that when exposed to abrupt temperature changes, their Pyrex glassware broke suddenly.
A propane torch can melt glass, but it’s not the ideal solution. Glass cannot be adequately melted by propane torches, and the glass may not be heated uniformly. When you try to shape the glass as a result, it may break or split. What Gas Is Best for Blowing Glass?
Propane or natural gas works best for blowing glass. These gases produce a steady supply of heat and burn at high temperatures. To reach a greater temperature, some glass blowers, however, like using oxygen plus propane or natural gas.
MAPP gas torches can melt glass, but it’s not advisable to use them when blowing glass. The glass may overheat and fracture because MAPP gas burns at a greater temperature than propane or natural gas. How Do You Know If Glass Is Borosilicate?
By looking for a brand name like Pyrex or Kimble, it is simplest to determine whether a piece of glass is borosilicate. The goods from these companies are well known for employing borosilicate glass. Examining the glass with a polarizing filter is another technique to determine this. Compared to tempered soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass will produce a distinct pattern of colors.
In conclusion, borosilicate glass is no longer used to make Pyrex. The modification was implemented in 1998 to lower production costs, however it had an impact on the glass’s quality. A propane torch can melt glass, but it’s not the best tool for glassblowing. MAPP gas torches are not advised because propane or natural gas work best for blowing glass. Last but not least, you can identify borosilicate glass by searching for a brand name or looking at it via a polarizing filter.