News Detail
Glass Has Grades Too: The High-Temperature Secrets of Sight Glass
When people think of glass, they often imagine something fragile and uniform. But in industrial environments, not all glass is created equal—especially when it comes to sight glass, which must withstand extreme temperatures and pressures.
Sight glass is used in high-demand applications like chemical reactors, boilers, power plants, and pharmaceutical systems, where it serves as a transparent window into sealed environments. To endure these harsh conditions, the glass must have exceptional thermal and mechanical properties.
One of the most common materials used is borosilicate glass. Thanks to its unique composition of silica and boron trioxide, it offers low thermal expansion, making it highly resistant to sudden temperature changes. It can typically withstand temperatures up to 450°C (842°F) and is also resistant to most chemicals.
In more extreme settings, quartz glass is used. With a melting point above 1,700°C (3,092°F), quartz offers unmatched thermal endurance and clarity, making it ideal for high-temperature reactors and UV-sensitive processes. However, it is more expensive and brittle than borosilicate.
In addition to the base material, high-performance sight glass often includes laminated layers, anti-reflective coatings, or metal reinforcements to enhance durability and safety. These features help prevent rupture, even under high pressure or rapid temperature shifts.
Conclusion
Just like steel or plastic, glass comes in different grades, each tailored to specific operational needs. In the world of industrial sight glass, choosing the right material can mean the difference between reliability and risk—especially when facing extreme heat.
