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Fused quartz beakers occupy a special place in the laboratory: they combine the chemical purity of high-grade SiO2 glass with a level of thermal shock resistance that borosilicate and soda-lime glassware cannot match. For workflows that involve repeated heating, strong acid digestion (hydrofluoric acid excepted) or high-temperature evaporation, a quartz beaker is often the only vessel that survives the process unchanged.
Why laboratories choose quartz beakers
The working case for quartz rests on three properties. First, purity: high-purity fused quartz contains SiO2 at 99.99% or above, so the vessel contributes almost no metal ions to the sample — critical for trace analysis. Second, thermal shock resistance: with a coefficient of thermal expansion around 5.5×10⁻⁷/K, roughly one sixth of borosilicate glass, a quartz beaker can move from a hot plate to a bench without cracking. Third, temperature capability: fused quartz softens only above 1600°C and is commonly used continuously at 1050–1100°C, far beyond any borosilicate ware.
Typical applications
- Acid digestion and sample dissolution (excluding HF and hot concentrated phosphoric acid)
- Evaporation to dryness and gentle boiling of corrosive solutions
- High-temperature pre-treatment before trace metal analysis
- Ashing support and furnace-adjacent handling where ordinary glass would fail
Chemical compatibility — read this before use
Quartz resists most acids, including hydrochloric, nitric and sulfuric acid, even at elevated temperatures. It is attacked by hydrofluoric acid and by hot concentrated phosphoric acid, and prolonged exposure to strong alkalis will etch the surface. For fluoride chemistry, switch to PTFE or platinum ware.
Specifying quartz beakers
Laboratory quartz beakers are typically supplied in capacities from about 50 mL up to 2000 mL, with fire-polished rims and, on request, spouts, handles or graduation marks. Because most laboratory quartzware is made to order, wall thickness and mouth finish can be matched to the way the vessel is heated and handled.
GKLQuartz fabricates laboratory quartzware to drawing — see our quartz crucibles and custom quartz glass capabilities, or send your specification through the Request a Quote page for a manufacturability review and quotation.
