Thick-walled glass tubes play an essential role in industries that demand high strength, thermal stability, and pressure resistance. Compared with standard thin-walled tubes, their reinforced structure makes them suitable for challenging environments where durability and safety are priorities. Below are the key application scenarios and important processing considerations.

1. Main Application Scenarios

• High-Pressure Observation Windows: Thick walls provide superior resistance to internal pressure, making them ideal for reactors, pipelines, and pressure monitoring devices.

• Chemical and Pharmaceutical Equipment: Their excellent corrosion resistance allows safe handling of acids, solvents, and reactive chemicals.

• Industrial Heating and Cooling Systems: Thick-walled borosilicate or quartz tubes withstand rapid temperature changes in furnaces, heaters, and cryogenic equipment.

• Optical and Analytical Instruments: When precision and optical clarity are required, quartz thick-walled tubes offer high transparency and low impurity levels.

• Mechanical Protection Sleeves: They serve as protective covers for sensors, probes, and fragile components operating in harsh environments.

2. Processing Challenges and Precautions

• Cutting Difficulty: Due to their high thickness and hardness, thick-walled tubes require diamond saws, water-cooled cutting, or CNC equipment to prevent cracking and heat buildup.

• Internal Stress Management: Thick glass is more prone to internal stress after machining. Annealing is essential to release tension and prevent spontaneous fractures.

• Drilling and Slotting: Precision drilling must be done at low feed speeds to avoid micro-cracks. Multi-step drilling with coolant is often necessary.

• Edge Treatment: Proper chamfering and polishing reduce stress concentration and improve safety when integrating the tube into high-pressure systems.

• Material Selection: Borosilicate is ideal for chemical and thermal resistance, while quartz is preferred for optical applications and ultra-high temperature environments.

Conclusion
Thick-walled glass tubes combine strength, stability, and versatility, making them suitable for demanding industrial and scientific applications. By following proper processing techniques, manufacturers can ensure high reliability and long service life in even the harshest working conditions.