2. Compositions and properties of packaging glass

For a definition of glass and a description of its main properties, please refer to the articles on glass [A 2 108] and glass and glass products [A 2 100] in the Plastics and Composites treatise.

• There are three main types of glass used in packaging:

  • soda-lime glass, which makes up almost all of the glass used for packaging food products; it is also widely used for products in the pharmaceutical, perfume and cosmetics industries. They are the most economical for their purpose;

  • borosilicate glass, which is much more resistant to chemical and/or thermal shock, is used for certain pharmaceutical or...