Glass is one of the most useful materials we have. It’s transparent, durable, easy to shape, and 100% recyclable. That’s why it’s ideal for so many applications and products, including windows, kitchenware, laboratory equipment, and smartphone screens.
But for much of its history, glass suffered from one major problem: Fragility. Sudden temperature changes caused glass to crack or even shatter, limiting where and how it could be used.
That changed in the late 1800s, when glassmakers started adding borates to glass formulations to enhance strength, optical clarity, and resistance to heat and chemicals. The result—borosilicate glass—not only improved the performance of finished products but also made glass manufacturing more efficient by lowering melting temperatures and improving workability.
This innovation set the stage for widespread adoption. Since then, U.S. Borax has been a trusted partner to glassmakers, supplying high-quality refined borates and helping to improve manufacturing efficiency through collaboration, research, and development.
How is borosilicate glass produced?
Borosilicate glass is produced by introducing borates with silicon dioxide and other additives to a glass batch. In glassmaking, borates serve two important roles:
- Fluxes, which lower the melting point of raw materials in the glass batch
- Network formers, which strengthen the glass structure at a molecular level
Boron forms strong, flexible bonds with oxygen, creating a more stable glass network. This structure delivers several benefits:
- Improved thermal resistance to withstand rapid temperature changes
- Greater chemical durability for lab, industrial, and food-grade uses
- Enhanced optical properties for screens, lenses, and scientific applications
- Lower processing temperatures that help manufacturers conserve energy
To achieve great results, manufacturers rely on refined borates from U.S. Borax. Our refinement process removes impurities and ensures consistent particle size, a critical feature for homogenous glass melts and superior finished products.
Where can you find borosilicate glass?
Borosilicate glass is everywhere, including:
- Kitchen equipment: Glass cookware and bakeware
- Laboratories and pharmaceuticals: Beakers, test tubes, ampoules, and vials
- Electronic screens: Smartphone displays, TFT-LCD screens, and semiconductors
- Automotive and lighting: Sealed headlights, halogen bulbs, and touch screen panels
It’s worth noting that borosilicate glass can be broadly categorized into alkali-containing and non-alkali types. For electronic-related applications, non-alkali borosilicate glass is preferred because alkali elements—such as sodium—can increase ionic conductivity, potentially leading to issues like leakage currents and signal interference. U.S. Borax supplies both borax and boric acid, which are essential raw materials used in the production of both alkali-containing and non-alkali borosilicate glass formulations.
Where is the borosilicate glass industry headed?
Two major drivers are shaping the future of borosilicate glass: Sustainable, energy-efficient production and innovation in high-tech applications.
Decarbonization and glass sustainability
As companies work to reduce emissions, the glass industry is rethinking how glass is made and embracing new strategies such as circular raw materials sourcing. That includes integrating recycled and alternative raw materials with a lower carbon footprint into processes.
Another decarbonization strategy involves anhydrous borates. Using anhydrous products such as boric oxide and Dehybor® requires less energy to melt than their hydrated counterparts, saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions. Through research with our partners, U.S. Borax is helping glassmakers measure the energy efficiency gains of using anhydrous borates in glassmaking.
Beyond melting improvements, borates also support:
- More effective heat recovery systems
- Cleaner furnace technologies
- Improved batch control and consistency
Learn more about glass sustainability efforts
Developing glass for technology
Modern electronics process massive amounts of data at incredibly high speeds. To maintain signal integrity in these high-frequency applications, glassmakers are developing specialized formulations such as dielectric glass.
With boron as a key additive, dielectric glass reduces signal loss and supports the electrical performance needed in advanced technologies (eg, circuit boards and fiber-optic networks).
Learn more about dielectric glass
More borosilicate glass resources
Curious about how borates are used in different types of glass? Or how U.S. Borax supports sustainability in glassmaking? Visit our boron in glass applications page.
Resources