Choosing the right material is crucial for safety and durability:
| Material | Key Features | Best Used For… |
| Borosilicate Glass (e.g., Pyrex, Duran) | High thermal shock resistance, chemically inert, handles extreme heat. | Heating chemicals, mixing reactive solutions, autoclaving. |
| Plastic (PP / Polypropylene) | Lightweight, shatterproof, affordable, excellent chemical resistance (except for strong oxidizers/solvents). | General liquid handling, field work, student labs. |
| Plastic (PFA / PTFE) | Incredible chemical inertness, high temperature resistance for plastic. | Trace analysis, handling ultra-pure or highly corrosive acids (like HF). |
| Stainless Steel | Durable, won’t break, good heat conductor. | Scalding liquids, heavy-duty industrial mixing (cannot see through it). |
Beakers range from tiny micro-beakers to massive industrial sizes. The most common laboratory sizes include:
