Different Types of Vials: Benefits and Applications

Glass Vials
Glass vials offer many advantages and they remain the material of choice for a wide range of applications. Here are the intended uses of glass:

Transparency: The smooth and transparent surface of glass vials makes it easy to check the contents for contamination or deterioration. This is one of the reasons why glass is recommended as a container material for injection solutions.
Inertness: Borosilicate glass does not react with other substances, except for a few acids. Therefore, you do not have to worry about borosilicate glass altering your samples and can also expect a long shelf life.
Heat Resistance: Borosilicate glass has a low coefficient of thermal expansion and is less susceptible to thermal shock than other materials. Due to its properties, borosilicate glass is ideal for chromatography.
Non-porous Surface: Glass is non-porous and does not affect the smell or taste of vitamins, medications or other products stored in glass vials. It reduces the risk of evaporation or contamination that would otherwise be trapped in the pores of the container.
Recyclable and Sustainable Materials: Glass is recyclable and sustainable, consisting of abundant raw materials such as sand. When choosing glass bottles, you can rest assured knowing that you are contributing to the health of the environment.
Sometimes, iron is added to the glass to produce an amber color. This helps protect the stored material from damage by ultraviolet (UV) light. Light-sensitive samples should be stored in amber vials.
Plastic Vials
Plastic bottles are usually made of polypropylene or polyethylene. Polypropylene is a rigid material that can be translucent or colored. Polypropylene is similar to polyethylene in many ways. However, it has a slightly higher heat resistance. Polyethylene, especially high-density polyethylene (HDPE), is one of the most commonly used plastics in bottles and other containers. It is valued for its flexibility and excellent impact resistance. Both plastics are used in a wide range of applications, including medical and pharmaceutical uses. Advantages of plastic bottles include:

Chemical resistance: Polypropylene and polyethylene have excellent resistance to bases, alcohols, and acids, except for strong oxidants, and have a low risk of leaching. These plastics can be cleaned and sterilized frequently, making them suitable for clinical settings.
High melting point: Polypropylene has a higher melting point than other thermoplastics and softens at around 155 degrees Celsius. Polypropylene is often used in autoclaves because of its ability to withstand heat. It maintains its strength even in extremely cold temperatures.
Durable: Plastic is strong and does not break easily, which is one of its greatest advantages. You do not have to worry about samples shattering when an employee drops them or bumps into a vial rack. This increases safety in the lab and reduces the need to replace lost samples and broken vials.
Lightweight: Plastic is lightweight and easy to handle, which increases efficiency in a busy work environment. Since plastic is not a heavy material, it is easier and less expensive to ship or transport.
Affordable: Plastic is a relatively inexpensive material because it costs less to produce than other materials. Choosing plastic bottles can save money while getting a quality product that meets your needs.
If you need a container for light-sensitive substances, choose plastic vials with glass-like clarity or an amber tint.

Silicone bottles
Some glass bottles go through a process called siliconization. Siliconization involves applying a silicon solution to the surface of the glass to form a protective layer. Benefits of silicone vials include:

Minimal interaction between sample and vial
Prevents high viscosity fluids from adhering to the inner surface of the vial
Improves clarity
Siliconization can be used to treat amber, borosilicate, or soda-lime glass vials and bottles.