High White Glass, Crystal Glass, Ordinary Glass, Soda-Lime Glass, Crystal White Glass. What Are The Differences Between These Types Of Glass?

These types of glass have significant differences in composition, characteristics and uses. The following is a specific distinction:
1. Soda-lime glass (ordinary glass)
• Composition: mainly silicon dioxide (about 70%), containing sodium oxide (12-16%) and calcium oxide (8-12%), and more iron impurities.
• Characteristics: general transparency (light green on the edge), low hardness, medium heat resistance (temperature difference ≤80℃), easy to process and low cost.
• Uses: daily necessities (such as water cups, bottles and cans), architectural glass, ordinary containers.

2. High white material glass
• Composition: an upgraded version of soda-lime glass, which greatly reduces the iron content (Fe₂O₃＜0.02%).
• Characteristics: light transmittance＞91%, close to colorless (white on the edge), hardness equivalent to ordinary glass, but better impact resistance.
• Uses: high-end tableware, cosmetic bottles, laboratory utensils (such as reagent bottles).

3. Crystal glass
• Classification:
o Lead crystal glass: contains lead oxide (24-30%), high density (3.0g/cm³), refractive index above 1.56, and crisp sound when knocked.
o Lead-free crystal glass: uses barium oxide/zinc to replace lead, with a slightly lower refractive index (1.52-1.55), environmentally friendly and non-toxic.
• Characteristics: high light transmittance, strong refraction (diamond luster), low hardness (Mohs 5.5), lead products should avoid food contact.
• Uses: crystal crafts, high-end wine utensils, lighting (such as Swarovski).

4. Crystal white glass
• Composition: between high white material and crystal material, may contain a small amount of lead (<5%) or barium.
• Characteristics: light transmittance 88-90%, slight blue light, medium hardness (Mohs 6.0), heat resistance is better than soda-lime glass.
• Uses: mid-range tableware, decorative ornaments, lamp covers.

5. Common glass
• Ingredients: low-purity raw materials, iron content > 0.1%, may contain recycled glass impurities.
• Characteristics: light transmittance < 85%, obvious green/gray, prone to bubbles or streaks, poor temperature resistance (≤ 50°C).
• Applications: low-end containers (pickle jars), industrial packaging, temporary supplies.

 

Purchase suggestions
• Food contact: high white material or lead-free crystal glass is preferred (SGS heavy metal migration report is required).
• Decorations: Lead crystal glass has better gloss, but avoid children's contact.
• Heat resistance requirements: choose high borosilicate glass (high temperature resistance up to 300°C).
Understanding these differences can avoid high-price, low-matching or misuse scenarios (such as common glass is prone to cracking when heated in microwaves).