Glass Tubes
Glass tubes, also known as glass rods, are used in a wide range of applications
including laboratories, electronics, industrial and environmental technology.
In laboratories, they are often used as delivery tubes to carry gases during
experiments. Small, sterilized glass tubes have a number of medical and laboratory
uses such as vials, draw sticks, and other phlebotomy tools. Glass tube rheometers
are used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
A glass tube or glass rod can serve many purposes. In some industrial applications
glass tubes are used in rotameters which measure the flow rate
and direction of liquids and gases. They may also be used in vents, drains
and piping. Glass rods and tubes are even used for households: halogen lights,
glass dowels, towel rods, furniture fittings and sprinkler bulbs.
Heat collecting tubes made of glass are a key component in the collection of
solar power. They may also be used in heat exchangers, ozone generators and
desulphurization plants. Glass tubes normally are hollow; glass rods may not
be. When used for many decorative purposes such as towel bars, the glass rods
are thick and may have a variety of finishes.