ASTM E960-93(2021)

Standard Specification for Laboratory Glass Beakers

ABSTRACT
This specification provides standard dimensional requirements for glass beakers suitable for general laboratory use. The glass beakers are classified into types and sizes and are presented in details. The glass beaker types are: type I - low form with spout; type II - low form, with spout heavy duty; type III - tall form, with spout; type IV - tall form, without spout; and type V - electrolytic, without spout. Beakers shall be made of borosilicate glass conforming to the requirement specified. Types I and II beakers shall be constructed to have straight sides. Types III and IV beakers shall have slightly tapered sides. Type V beakers may have slightly tapered or straight sides.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification provides standard dimensional requirements for glass beakers suitable for general laboratory use.  
Note 1: For packaging standards, choose among the following standards: Specification E920, Specification E921, Practice E1133. For sampling and testing refer to Specification E1157.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2020
• ICS: 71.040.20 - Laboratory ware and related apparatus
• Technical Committee: E41 - Laboratory Apparatus
• Drafting Committee: E41.01 - Laboratory Ware and Supplies

Relations

• Refers: ASTM E438-92(2024) - Standard Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM E920-97(2019) - Standard Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Refers: ASTM E438-92(2018) - Standard Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2018
• Refers: ASTM E920-97(2013) - Standard Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM E438-92(2011) - Standard Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Refers: ASTM E1157-87(2018)e1 - Standard Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable Laboratory Glassware
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Refers: ASTM E1157-87(2011) - Standard Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable Laboratory Glassware
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Refers: ASTM E1133-86(2010) - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Laboratory Apparatus for United States Government Procurements
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2010
• Refers: ASTM E921-97(2010) - Standard Specification for Export Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 15-May-2010
• Refers: ASTM E671-98(2010) - Standard Specification for Maximum Permissible Thermal Residual Stress in Annealed Glass Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Refers: ASTM E920-97(2008) - Standard Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Refers: ASTM E1157-87(2006) - Standard Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable Laboratory Glassware
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM E438-92(2006) - Standard Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM E1133-86(2005) - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Laboratory Apparatus for United States Government Procurements
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2005
• Refers: ASTM E671-98(2004) - Standard Specification for Maximum Permissible Thermal Residual Stress in Annealed Glass Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004

Overview

ASTM E960-93(2021) is the internationally recognized standard specification for laboratory glass beakers, published by ASTM International. This standard outlines the required dimensions, materials, design, and markings for glass beakers used in laboratory environments. By following ASTM E960, laboratories and manufacturers ensure that beakers are reliable, safe, and compatible with general scientific work.

The specification applies to various types and sizes of borosilicate glass beakers, making it widely relevant for chemical, biological, and analytical laboratories. The standard helps to maintain consistency in laboratory glassware, supporting accuracy in experiments and measurements.

Key Topics

Beaker Classifications

ASTM E960 defines glass beakers by type and size, enabling easy selection for specific laboratory needs:

• Type I – Low Form with Spout (Griffin)

  • Straight sides (with larger sizes permitted to be slightly tapered)
  • Common sizes: 10 cm³ to 4000 cm³

• Type II – Low Form, with Spout, Heavy Duty

  • Straight sides; stronger construction
  • Sizes: 150 cm³ to 4000 cm³

• Type III – Tall Form with Spout (Berzelius)

  • Slightly tapered sides
  • Sizes: 100 cm³ to 1000 cm³

• Type IV – Tall Form, without Spout (Berzilius)

  • Slightly tapered sides
  • Sizes: 100 cm³ to 1000 cm³

• Type V – Electrolytic, without Spout

  • Straight or slightly tapered sides
  • Sizes: 180 cm³ and 250 cm³

Material and Construction

• All beakers must be made from borosilicate glass (ASTM E438, Type I, Class A), ensuring chemical resistance and thermal durability.
• Residual thermal stress must meet ASTM E671 to prevent breakage during laboratory use.
• Each beaker shall be symmetrically manufactured, smoothly finished, with fire-polished beaded rims and may feature a flared edge for ease of pouring.

Capacity and Marking Requirements

• Beaker capacities are specified in cubic centimeters (cm³) adhering to the International System of Units (SI).
• Permanent markings must indicate manufacturer, nominal capacity, and graduation intervals (±5% accuracy of full capacity).
• An area for pencil marking must be provided, achieved by sandblasting or similar surface treatment.

Applications

The ASTM E960-93(2021) standard is essential for:

• Laboratory Testing and Experiments: Ensuring uniformity in the tools used, which directly affects experimental repeatability and reliability.
• Chemical Processing: Supporting safe handling and accurate measurement of liquids.
• Educational Settings: Providing students with standard, durable, and safe glassware.
• Quality Control: Facilitating direct comparison of results across facilities and time by using standardized beakers.

Conformance with ASTM E960 guarantees that laboratory glass beakers are dependable for mixing, heating, pouring, and measuring fluids in a scientific environment.

Related Standards

To ensure a comprehensive compliance framework, ASTM E960 refers to several related ASTM standards:

• ASTM E438: Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
• ASTM E671: Specification for Maximum Permissible Thermal Residual Stress in Annealed Glass Laboratory Apparatus
• ASTM E920 / ASTM E921: Specifications for Packaging of Laboratory Apparatus
• ASTM E1133: Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• ASTM E1157: Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable Laboratory Glassware

These standards cover material properties, thermal stress, packaging, and performance testing, forming an integrated system for laboratory glassware quality assurance.

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By complying with ASTM E960-93(2021), laboratories ensure the safety, durability, and measurement accuracy of their glass beakers, supporting high-quality laboratory work and international standardization.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E960 −93 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Laboratory Glass Beakers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E960; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.1.1 Size 1—10 cm ,
3.1.1.2 Size 2—20 cm ,
1.1 This specification provides standard dimensional re-
3.1.1.3 Size 3—30 cm ,
quirements for glass beakers suitable for general laboratory
3.1.1.4 Size 4—50 cm ,
use.
3.1.1.5 Size 5—100 cm ,
NOTE 1—For packaging standards, choose among the following stan- 3
3.1.1.6 Size 6—150 cm ,
dards: Specification E920, Specification E921, Practice E1133. For
3.1.1.7 Size 7—250 cm ,
sampling and testing refer to Specification E1157.
3.1.1.8 Size 8—400 cm ,
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1.1.9 Size 9—600 cm ,
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.1.1.10 Size 10—800 cm ,
standard.
3.1.1.11 Size 11—1000 cm ,
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.1.12 Size 12—1500 cm ,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 3
3.1.1.13 Size 13—2000 cm ,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1.1.14 Size 14—3000 cm , and
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.1.15 Size 15—4000 cm .
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1.2 Type II—Low form, with spout, heavy duty:
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.2.1 Size 1—150 cm ,
3.1.2.2 Size 2—250 cm ,
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.2.3 Size 3—400 cm ,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.2.4 Size 4—600 cm ,
E438 Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus
3.1.2.5 Size 5—1000 cm ,
E671 Specification for Maximum Permissible Thermal Re-
3.1.2.6 Size 6—2000 cm , and
sidual Stress in Annealed Glass Laboratory Apparatus
3.1.2.7 Size 7—4000 cm .
E920 Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory
3.1.3 Type III—Tall form, with spout (Berzelius):
Apparatus
3.1.3.1 Size 1—100 cm ,
E921 Specification for Export Packaged Laboratory Appa-
3.1.3.2 Size 2—200 cm ,
ratus
3.1.3.3 Size 3—300 cm ,
E1133 Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Labo-
3.1.3.4 Size 4—400 cm ,
ratory Apparatus for United States Government Procure-
3.1.3.5 Size 5—500 cm ,
ments
3.1.3.6 Size 6—600 cm , and
E1157 Specification for Sampling and Testing of Reusable
3.1.3.7 Size 7—1000 cm .
Laboratory Glassware
3.1.4 Type IV—Tall form, without spout (Berzilius):
3. Classification 3.1.4.1 Size 1—100 cm ,
3.1.4.2 Size 2—200 cm ,
3.1 Beakers shall be in the following types and sizes.
3.1.4.3 Size 3—300 cm ,
3.1.1 Type I—Low form with spout (Griffin):
3.1.4.4 Size 4—400 cm , and
3.1.4.5 Size 5—500 cm .
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E41 on
Laboratory Apparatus and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E41.01 on 3.1.4.6 Size 6—600 cm , and
Laboratory Ware and Supplies.
3.1.4.7 Size 7—1000 cm .
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2021. Published February 2021. Originally
3.1.5 Type V—Electrolytic, without spout:
approvedin1983.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2013asE960 – 93(2013).DOI:
3.1.5.1 Size 1—180 cm , and
10.1520/E0960-93R21.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3.1.5.2 Size 2—250 cm .
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on NOTE 2—The term millilitre (mL) is commonly used as a special name
the ASTM website. for the cubic centimeter (cm ) and similarly the liter (L) for 1 000 cubic
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E960 − 93 (2021)
centimeters, in accordance with the International System of Units (SI).
shall pour evenly, and shall not cling to the outside of the
beaker and flow off the bottom when tilting the nearly full
4. Material and Annealing
beaker at a 45° angle.
4.1 Beakers shall be made of bo
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