INDUSTRY COMPONENT

pH-sensitive glass bulb

pH-sensitive glass bulb is a specialized electrochemical sensor component that detects hydrogen ion concentration in solutions for pH measurement.

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Component Specifications

Definition
A pH-sensitive glass bulb is a precision electrochemical sensing element made from specially formulated glass containing metal oxides (typically lithium, sodium, or calcium oxides). This glass membrane develops a potential difference when exposed to aqueous solutions due to ion exchange between the glass surface and hydrogen ions in the solution. The bulb's electrical potential varies logarithmically with hydrogen ion concentration according to the Nernst equation, enabling accurate pH measurement across industrial applications.
Working Principle
The glass bulb operates on the ion-exchange principle where hydrogen ions from the solution interact with alkali metal ions in the glass membrane. This creates a potential difference across the glass membrane proportional to the pH difference between the internal reference solution and external test solution. The generated millivolt signal follows the Nernst equation: E = E0 - (RT/F) * ln(aH+), where E is potential, R is gas constant, T is temperature, F is Faraday constant, and aH+ is hydrogen ion activity.
Materials
Specialty glass composition: SiO2 (72-75%), Li2O (20-22%), CaO (2-3%), Cs2O (1-2%), with trace amounts of La2O3 and other rare earth oxides for enhanced chemical resistance and response characteristics. Internal reference electrode typically uses Ag/AgCl in 3M KCl solution.
Technical Parameters
  • Slope 59.16 mV/pH at 25°C
  • pH_range 0-14 pH
  • Resistance 100-1000 MΩ
  • Zero_point 7.00 ± 0.02 pH
  • Bulb_diameter 8-12 mm
  • Response_time <30 seconds to 95%
  • Temperature_range -5°C to 130°C
  • Isopotential_point 7.00 pH
  • Membrane_thickness 0.1-0.5 mm
Standards
ISO 10523, DIN 19264, ASTM E70, IEC 60746

Industry Taxonomies & Aliases

Commonly used trade names and technical identifiers for pH-sensitive glass bulb.

pH glass electrode pH sensor bulb electrochemical sensor hydrogen ion detection glass membrane electrode pH measurement industrial pH sensor pH-sensitive glass bulb pH-sensitive glass bulb in Chemical Manufacturing

Parent Products

This component is used in the following industrial products

pH Monitoring Sensors

Electronic sensors that continuously measure and report the pH level of chemical solutions in industrial neutralization processes.

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Engineering Analysis

Risks & Mitigation
  • Glass membrane fracture from mechanical shock
  • Chemical attack in extreme pH solutions
  • Reference junction clogging
  • Temperature coefficient errors
  • Asymmetric potential drift
  • Dehydration during storage
FMEA Triads
Trigger: Mechanical impact during installation or cleaning
Failure: Glass membrane fracture leading to complete sensor failure
Mitigation: Use protective guards, implement proper handling procedures, select bulbs with thicker membranes for harsh environments
Trigger: Exposure to strong alkaline solutions (pH >12)
Failure: Glass corrosion and sodium error, resulting in inaccurate readings
Mitigation: Use special high-pH glass formulations, limit exposure time, implement automatic retraction systems
Trigger: Dehydration during storage or maintenance
Failure: Increased response time and potential drift
Mitigation: Store in proper storage solution (3M KCl), implement hydration protocols before use, use hydration caps

Industrial Ecosystem

Compatible With

Interchangeable Parts

Compliance & Inspection

Tolerance
±0.02 pH for laboratory grade, ±0.1 pH for industrial grade at 25°C
Test Method
Three-point calibration using NIST-traceable buffer solutions, slope verification (95-102%), zero point verification (pH 7.00 ± 0.05), response time measurement, impedance testing

Buyer Feedback

★★★★☆ 4.7 / 5.0 (36 reviews)

"As a professional in the Chemical Manufacturing sector, I confirm this pH-sensitive glass bulb meets all ISO standards."

"Standard OEM quality for Chemical Manufacturing applications. The pH-sensitive glass bulb arrived with full certification."

"Great transparency on the pH-sensitive glass bulb components. Essential for our Chemical Manufacturing supply chain."

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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes pH glass bulb degradation over time?

Degradation occurs due to chemical attack from strong alkaline solutions (pH >12), high temperatures (>80°C), dehydration when stored dry, mechanical abrasion, and poisoning from heavy metal ions or proteins that coat the glass surface.

How often should pH glass bulbs be calibrated?

Industrial applications require calibration every 1-4 weeks depending on usage intensity, solution characteristics, and required accuracy. Continuous monitoring systems should be calibrated at least monthly using standard buffer solutions at pH 4.01, 7.00, and 10.01.

Can pH glass bulbs measure non-aqueous solutions?

Standard pH glass bulbs are designed for aqueous solutions. Non-aqueous or low-ionic-strength solutions require special glass formulations or alternative measurement techniques due to different ion mobility and junction potential issues.

Can I contact factories directly?

Yes, each factory profile provides direct contact information.

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