Final answer:
Borosilicate glass is commonly used to make heat-resistant glassware in a laboratory due to its ability to resist thermal shock. It contains borates that minimize the risks of cracking from sudden temperature changes. This type of glass is widely used in places such as laboratories, kitchens, and even in automobile lighting.
Step-by-step explanation:
The durable material commonly used to make heat-resistant glassware in a laboratory is Borosilicate glass. This type of glass is preferred for laboratory use because it can withstand high temperatures without breaking due to thermal shock. This is largely because borosilicate glass contains borates, which help to manage thermal expansion and contraction, thus making it less likely to crack upon rapid heating or cooling compared to other types of glass like soda-lime-silica glass.
Borosilicate glass is not just used in laboratories under the names like Pyrex and Kimax, but also in household cookware and even in some types of car headlamps. It features a low coefficient of thermal expansion, which contributes to its ability to endure sudden temperature changes without cracking, a key property when used for scientific and culinary applications.
Furthermore, the robust physical properties of boron-based materials extend beyond glassware; boron filaments are employed in lightweight, high-strength materials across various industries. Borosilicate glass is indeed a testament to the versatile nature of boron compounds.