A seized joint is a common problem when working with standard ground glass joints – you’ve finished your experiment, go to separate the socket and the cone, and find they will not come apart! Most of us have experienced this in the lab at one point or another. So how can you avoid the frustration?

In this video we’re going to share our hints and tips for how to unstick a ground glass joint including:

1. Knocking or tapping the joint
2. Soaking the joint
3. Cooling or heating the joint

Whichever method you choose, you should always consider your chemistry, and ensure any actions you carry out are safe for your specific set-up.

We’re all too familiar with the frustration of dealing with stuck joints, so we include Rodaviss fittings on the glass joints of many of our products. When it’s time to disconnect the joint, these threaded fittings press the joint apart evenly and quickly, without risking broken glass and spills!

Any other glassware topics you’d like us to cover? Let us know in the comments. At Radleys, we’ve been scientific glassblowing right here in the UK for over 50 years, so we’re in the perfect position to help you with your glassware queries.