Glass Tubing for Cartridges | Pharmaceutical Tubing | Corning

Onion skin tubing for breakable ampoules

Onion skin tubing for breakable ampoules

A crushable or “breakable” glass ampoule is a sealed glass capsule (a small case or container) containing a liquid that is accessed by activating the crushing mechanism of the device designed to dispense the liquid material.  These crushable glass ampoules are utilized in several device types including unit dose swabs, sponge applicators, breakable inhalants, glow sticks, and dropper tip devices.

Corning® 51 borosilicate glass can be drawn into 1500mm length tubes suitable for converting into a breakable glass ampoule.  This style of glass tubing normally consists of wall thicknesses between 0.20-0.30mm.  This glass is often referred to as “onion skin tubing” due to the glass having a very thin wall thickness.  A variety of sizes are available from 6mm to 13mm in outside diameter with custom wall thicknesses designed for specific break forces.  Corning can provide onion skin glass tubing for breakable ampoules, and also make a recommendation on a converting partner for the finished ampoule.