Patent Application
20240115461
The present invention relates to a tube glass, a primary packaging container for pharmaceutical preparations, and an alkali silicate glass.
Borosilicate glasses having high chemical durability and excellent visibility have been used for primary packaging containers (glass containers) for pharmaceuticals, such as vials and ampules, in a related art.
Primary packaging containers for pharmaceutical preparations, such as vials or ampules, are produced by processing the glass into a container shape and then annealing the glass in an annealing furnace heated to the proximity of an annealing point to remove residual strain.
Patent Literature 1: JP 2017-218353 A
Patent Literature 2: JP 6400168 B
As a method of processing a tube glass into a container shape, there is a method of forming a mouth portion, a neck portion, and a bottom portion while locally heating the tube glass with a burner or the like. In processing by burner heating, an evaporated substance of alkali borate is generated from the glass surface during burner heating, and the evaporated substance may be condensed and deposited on the inner surface of the container to form a foreign layer. The formation of this foreign layer causes a significant decrease in the chemical durability and hydrolysis resistance of the glass, and the alkali component in the glass is eluted during storage of the aqueous-based medicament. This may cause the pH change, change in quality, and the like of the aqueous-based medicament. Further, the foreign layer may be separated off from the inner surface of the container, leading to a phenomenon (delamination) in which insoluble foreign matters called flakes are formed in the aqueous-based medicament.
Accordingly, Patent Literature 1 proposes that suppression of the evaporation of alkali borate during burner heating by removing B2O3 from the glass composition of the glass container. However, glass that is free of B2O3 has a high viscosity at a high temperature, and thus the content of Na2O that reduces the viscosity in high temperature increases. As a result, the amount of alkaline elution from the glass increases, which may cause a problem of inducing the pH change of the aqueous-based medicament. When the pH of the aqueous-based medicament changes, the aqueous-based medicament may fail to exhibit the intended performance.
In addition, delamination often occurs when an aqueous-based medicament is prepared using a citrate buffer solution, a phosphate buffer solution, or the like, which exhibits a strong alkaline behavior even in the vicinity of neutrality, and filled in a glass container and stored. Therefore, the alkali resistance of the glass container is important in suppressing the delamination.
In recent years, the number of patients with Alzheimer's disease has been increasing. One of causes of Alzheimer's disease is intake of aluminum ions. When aluminum ions eluted from the glass container are taken into the body and accumulated, this leads to the possibility of an increase in the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Also, when a phosphate buffer solution is stored in a glass container containing Al2O3, this may result in reaction of aluminum ions eluted from the glass with the phosphate buffer solution and formation of insoluble foreign matters. Patent Literature 2 proposes borosilicate glass containing no Al2O3 in the glass composition, in order to suppress elution of aluminum ions. However, since this glass contains B2O3 in the glass composition, evaporation of alkali borate during container processing cannot be sufficiently suppressed.
An object of the present invention is to provide a tube glass, a primary packaging container for pharmaceutical preparations, and an alkali silicate glass, which have high alkali resistance, offer reduced risk of evaporation of alkali borate during burner heating, and reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease; and furthermore, the tube glass, primary packaging container and alkali silicate glass which cause little change in pH of an aqueous-based medicament, and are free of risk of formation of insoluble foreign matters due to aluminum ions eluted from the glass.
The present inventors have conducted various experiments and found that the above problems can be solved by substantially removing B2O3 and Al2O3 from the glass composition and then increasing the alkali resistance to a predetermined level. The present inventors propose the present invention. That is, a tube glass according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an alkali silicate glass, in which a glass composition is substantially free of B2O3 and Al2O3, and a loss in mass ρ (mg/dm2) in an alkali resistance test in accordance with ISO 695 (199105-15) is classified as Class A1. Note that the phrase “the glass composition is substantially free of B2O3 and Al2O3” means that the content of B2O3 in the glass composition is 0.5 mol % or less, and the content of Al2O3 is 0.5 mol % or less. The “alkali resistance test in accordance with ISO 695 (199105-15)” can be performed by the method described in the section of Examples.
In the tube glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, a total cation mass QC (mg/dm2) of eluted components per unit surface area in an elution test on an acidic solution is preferably 1.6 or less. Note that the total cation mass QC (mg/dm2) of eluted components per unit surface area in an elution test on an acidic solution can be calculated by the method described in the section of “Measurement of Acid Resistance”. Further, the value QO obtained under the assumption that the eluted components are oxides of the eluted components can be calculated by the method described in the section of “Measurement of Acid Resistance”, and the QO is preferably 3.1 or less.
In the tube glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that a hydrochloric acid consumption H (mL/g) to neutralize an eluate prepared by elution of an alkali component, determined in accordance with ISO 720 (1985), is classified as Class HGA1 or HGA2 in ISO 720 (1985). Note that the hydrochloric acid consumption H (mL/g) to neutralize an eluate prepared by elution of an alkali component, determined in accordance with ISO 720 (1985), can be measured by the method described in the section of Examples.
The tube glass according to an embodiment of the present invention has a glass composition containing, in mol %, 50 to 88% of SiO2, 0.1 to 20% of Li2O+Na2O+K2O, 0 to 20% of TiO2, 0.005 to 12% of ZrO2. Preferably, the glass composition is substantially free of B2O3 and Al2O3. Note that “Li2O+Na2O+K2O” refers to the total content of Li2O, Na2O, and K2O.
In the tube glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, a content of Na2O in the glass composition is preferably from 0 to 20 mol %.
In the tube glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, a content of K2O in the glass composition is preferably from 0 to 20 mol %.
In the tube glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, a content of MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO in the glass composition is preferably from 0.1 to 10 mol %. Note that “MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO” refers to the total content of MgO, CaO, SrO and BaO.
The tube glass according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably has an average transmittance of 60% or greater at an optical path length of 1 mm and a wavelength of 400 to 800 nm. Note that the “average transmittance at an optical path length of 1 mm and a wavelength of 400 to 800 nm” can be measured with a commercially available spectrophotometer.
Preferably, in the tube glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, a chemical resistance factor value, represented by {(the hydrochloric acid consumption H (mL/g) in the hydrolytic resistance test in accordance with ISO 720)×10+(the total cation mass QC of eluted components per unit surface area in an elution test on an acidic solution)×10+(the loss in mass ρ in an alkali resistance test in accordance with ISO 695)}, i.e., the sum of 10 times the consumption H, 10 times the mass QC, and the amount ρ, is 98.5 or less.
In addition, the tube glass according to an embodiment of the present invention is preferably used in a primary packaging container for pharmaceutical preparations, a laboratory instrument, and a corrosion-resistant piping for chemical plants.
The primary packaging container for pharmaceutical preparations according to an embodiment of the present invention is a primary packaging container for pharmaceutical preparations which is formed by processing tube glass, in which the tube glass is the tube glass described above.
The alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a glass composition which is substantially free of B2O3 and Al2O3, in which a chemical resistance factor value, represented by {(the hydrochloric acid consumption H (mL/g) in the hydrolytic resistance test in accordance with ISO 720)×10+(the total cation mass QC of eluted components per unit surface area in an elution test on an acidic solution)×10+(the loss in mass ρ in an alkali resistance test in accordance with ISO 695)}, i.e., the sum of 10 times the consumption H, 10 times the mass QC, and the amount ρ, is 98.5 or less.
In addition, the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a glass composition which: contains, in mol %, 60 to 88% of SiO2, 0.1 to 20% of K2O, 0 to 6.5% of CaO, 0.1 to 20% of TiO2, and 0.005 to 12% of ZrO2; has a molar ratio TiO2/(Li2O+Na2O+K2O+MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO) of 0.3 to 3.5, a molar ratio K2O/ZrO2 of 0.9 or greater; and is substantially free of B2O3 and Al2O3. Note that “Li2O+Na2O+K2O+MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO” refers to the total content of Li2O, Na2O, K2O, MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO. “TiO2/(Li2O+Na2O+K2O+MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO)” refers to a value obtained by dividing the content of TiO2 by the total content of Li2O, Na2O, K2O, MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO. “K2O/ZrO2” refers to a value obtained by dividing the content of K2O by the content of ZrO2.
In the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, the loss in mass ρ (mg/dm2) in an alkali resistance test in accordance with ISO 695 (199105-15) is preferably classified as Class A1.
In the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, the total cation mass QC (mg/dm2) of eluted components per unit surface area in an elution test on an acidic solution is preferably 1.6 or less.
Preferably, in the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, the hydrochloric acid consumption H (mL/g) to neutralize an eluate prepared by elution of an alkali component, determined in accordance with ISO 720 (1985), is classified as Class HGA1 or HGA2 in ISO 720 (1985). Note that the hydrochloric acid consumption H (mL/g) to neutralize an eluate prepared by elution of an alkali component, determined in accordance with ISO 720 (1985), can be measured by the method described in the section of Examples.
The alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a glass composition which is substantially free of B2O3 and Al2O3, in which a chemical resistance factor value, represented by {(the hydrochloric acid consumption H (mL/g) in the hydrolytic resistance test in accordance with ISO 720)×10+(the total cation mass QC of eluted components per unit surface area in an elution test on an acidic solution)×10+(the loss in mass ρ in an alkali resistance test in accordance with ISO 695)}, i.e., the sum of 10 times the consumption H, 10 times the mass QC, and the amount ρ, is 98.5 or less.
The alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a glass composition which: is substantially free of B2O3 and Al2O3; contains, in mol %, 66% or greater and less than 84% of SiO2, 10% or less of MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO, and 8.5% or less of ZrO2; and a molar ratio (Li2O+Na2O+K2O+MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO)/SiO2 of 0.4 or less. Note that “Li2O+Na2O+K2O+MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO” refers to the total content of Li2O, Na2O, K2O, MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO. “Li2O+Na2O+K2O+MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO)/SiO2” refers to a value obtained by dividing the total content of Li2O, Na2O, K2O, MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO by SiO2.
In the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, the loss in mass ρ (mg/dm2) in an alkali resistance test in accordance with ISO 695 (199105-15) is preferably classified as Class A1.
In the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, the total cation mass QC (mg/dm2) of eluted components per unit surface area in an elution test on an acidic solution is preferably 1.6 or less.
Preferably, in the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, the hydrochloric acid consumption H (mL/g) to neutralize an eluate prepared by elution of an alkali component, determined in accordance with ISO 720 (1985), is classified as Class HGA1 or HGA2 in ISO 720 (1985). Note that the hydrochloric acid consumption H (mL/g) to neutralize an eluate prepared by elution of an alkali component, determined in accordance with ISO 720 (1985), can be measured by the method described in the section of Examples.
In addition, the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a glass composition which: contains, in mol %, 66% or greater and less than 84% of SiO2, 1% or less of B2O3, 1% or less of Al2O3, 10% or less of MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO, and 8.5% or less of ZrO2; and has a molar ratio (Li2O+Na2O+K2O+MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO)/SiO2 of 0.4 or less.
In the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, the loss in mass ρ (mg/dm2) in an alkali resistance test in accordance with ISO 695 (199105-15) is preferably classified as Class A1.
In the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, the total cation mass QC (mg/dm2) of eluted components per unit surface area in an elution test on an acidic solution is preferably 1.6 or less.
Preferably, in the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, the hydrochloric acid consumption H (mL/g) to neutralize an eluate prepared by elution of an alkali component, determined in accordance with ISO 720 (1985), is classified as Class HGA1 or HGA2 in ISO 720 (1985).
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tube glass, a primary packaging container for pharmaceutical preparations, and an alkali silicate glass, which have high alkali resistance, reduced risk of evaporation of alkali borate during burner heating and reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease; and are free of risk of formation of insoluble foreign matters due to aluminum ions eluted from the glass.
The FIGURE is a graph in which a horizontal axis represents mol % of SiO2 in various types of glass, and a vertical axis represents a total cation mass QC (mg/dm2) of eluted components per unit area.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below. However, the following embodiments are merely illustrative, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.
The tube glass according to an embodiment of the present invention is an alkali silicate glass, and preferably has a glass composition which contains, in mol %, 50 to 88% of SiO2, 0.1 to 20% of Li2O+Na2O+K2O, 0 to 20% of TiO2, 0.005 to 12% of ZrO2. Preferably, the glass composition is substantially free of B2O3 and Al2O3. Hereinafter, the reason why the composition range of each component is defined as described above will be described. In the description of the content of each component, indication in % refers to mol % unless otherwise indicated.
SiO2 is a component that forms a glass network, and is a component that increases chemical resistance, particularly acid resistance. The content of SiO2 is preferably 50% or greater, 55% or greater, 60% or greater, 65% or greater, 66% or greater, 70% or greater, 72% or greater, particularly 74% or greater, and is preferably 88% or less, 85% or less, less than 84%, 83% or less, 81% or less, 79% or less, particularly 77% or less. When the content of SiO2 is too small, the structure of the glass becomes brittle, and chemical resistance tends to decrease. Meanwhile, when the content of SiO2 is too large, meltability tends to decrease. Further, the viscosity of the molten glass increases, and thus processing of the glass into the tube glass becomes difficult.
The content of Li2O+Na2O+K2O is preferably 0.1% or greater, 0.5% or greater, 1% or greater, 3% or greater, 5% or greater, 6% or greater, 7% or greater, particularly 8% or greater, and is preferably 20% or less, 19.5% or less, 19% or less, 16% or less, 14% or less, 12% or less, 11% or less, 10.5% or less, particularly 10% or less. When the content of Li2O+Na2O+K2O is too small, the viscosity of the glass increases, and the productivity and processability of the tube glass may be reduced. Meanwhile, when the content of Li2O+Na2O+K2O is too large, the amount of alkaline elution from the glass increases, and the pH change of the aqueous-based medicament is likely to be induced.
Li2O is a component that lowers the viscosity of the glass and enhances meltability and formability. The content of Li2O is preferably 0% or greater, 0.1% or greater, particularly 2% or greater, and is preferably 10% or less, 8% or less, 6% or less, less than 4%, 3.5% or less, 3% or less, particularly 2.5% or less. When the content of Li2O is too large, the amount of alkaline elution from the glass increases, and the pH change of the aqueous-based medicament is likely to be induced.
Na2O is a component that lowers the viscosity of the glass and enhances meltability and formability. The content of Na2O is preferably 0% or greater, 0.1% or greater, 3% or greater, particularly 4% or greater, and is preferably 20% or less, 18% or less, 16% or less, particularly 13% or less. When the content of Na2O is too large, the amount of alkaline elution from the glass increases, and the pH change of the aqueous-based medicament is likely to be induced. Also, devitrified crystals including SiO2—Na2O—ZrO2 may precipitate, leading to a reduction in the productivity of the tube glass.
Similarly to Li2O and Na2O, K2O is a component that lowers the viscosity of the glass and enhances meltability and formability. The content of K2O is preferably 0% or greater, 0.1% or greater, 3% or greater, 5% or greater, 7% or greater, particularly 8% or greater, and is preferably 20% or less, 18% or less, 15% or less, 12% or less, 11.5% or less, particularly 11% or less. When the content of K2O is too large, the amount of alkaline elution from the glass increases, and the pH change of the aqueous-based medicament is likely to be induced.
TiO2 is a component that lowers the viscosity of the glass and enhances chemical resistance, particularly alkali resistance. The content of TiO2 is preferably 0% or greater, 0.1% or greater, 1% or greater, 2% or greater, 2.5% or greater, 3% or greater, 4.4% or greater, 5% or greater, 6% or greater, particularly 7% or greater, and is preferably 20% or less, 18% or less, 16% or less, 15% or less, 14% or less, 12% or less, 11% or less, 10% or less, 9.5% or less, 9% or less, particularly 8.5% or less. When the content of TiO2 is too low, the viscosity of the glass increases, and the productivity and processability of the tube glass may be reduced. Meanwhile, when the content of TiO2 is too large, the coloring of the tube glass may become pronounced, and further the glass is devitrified, which may lead to a reduction in the productivity and processability of the tube glass.
ZrO2 is a component that enhances chemical resistance, particularly alkali resistance. It is also one of the components that can be eluted, as impurities from the refractory used in the melting facility, into the glass component. Exceptionally, when the glass composition is substantially free of ZrO2, the risk to health can be reduced. Note that the phrase “the glass composition is substantially free of ZrO2” means that the content of ZrO2 in the glass composition is 0.005 mol % or less. The content of ZrO2 is preferably 0% or greater, 0.001% or greater, 0.005% or greater, 0.01%, 0.05% or greater, 0.1% or greater, 1% or greater, 2.0% or greater, 2.5% or greater, 3% or greater, 3.5% or greater, 4.4% or greater, particularly 5% or greater, 6% or greater, and is preferably 13% or less, 10% or less, 9% or less, 8.5 or less, 7% or less, 6% or less, particularly 5% or less. When the content of ZrO2 is too small, sufficient chemical resistance cannot be exhibited, and the amount of components eluted from the glass increases, and this may cause change in quality of the aqueous-based medicament. Meanwhile, when the content of ZrO2 is too large, the glass is devitrified, which may lead to a reduction in the productivity and processability of the tube glass.
B2O3 is a component that lowers the viscosity of the glass and enhances meltability and formability. However, B2O3 is a component that evaporates together with the alkali component in the glass due to burner heating during container processing, and may contaminate the inner surface of the container. Accordingly, the content of B2O3 should be regulated to a level at which B2O3 is not substantially contained (0.5% or less), and is preferably 0.4% or less, particularly 0.3% or less.
When it is desired to lower the viscosity of glass, B2O3 may be intentionally added in a range of 1% or less.
Al2O3 is a component that enhances chemical resistance, and is also a component that suppresses devitrification. However, when the content of Al2O3 is too large, the Al2O3 is eluted, as aluminum ions, into the aqueous-based medicament, and introduced into the body by injection or the like. The aluminum ions introduced into the body may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. A phosphate buffer solution is stored in a glass container containing Al2O3, as a result of which aluminum ions eluted from the glass may react with the phosphate buffer solution to generate insoluble foreign matters. Accordingly, the content of Al2O3 should be regulated to a level at which Al2O3 is not substantially contained (i.e., 0.5% or less), and is preferably 0.4% or less, particularly 0.3% or less.
The refractory used in the melting facility may also contain Al2O3. In this case, Al2O3 from the refractory may be mixed into the glass and cause Al2O3 to be unintentionally mixed into the glass. In such a case, Al2O3 may be contained in a range of 1% or less. In addition, when it is exceptionally desired to improve hydrolytic resistance, Al2O3 may be contained in a range of 1% or less.
In addition to the above components, for example, the following components may be introduced.
The content of MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO is preferably 12% or less, 10% or less, 8.5% or less, 8% or less, 7% or less, 6% or less, 5% or less, 4.5% or less, 4% or less, 3.8% or less, 2% or less, 1.5% or less, particularly 1.3% or less. When the content of MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO is too small, the viscosity of the glass increases, and the productivity and processability of the tube glass may be reduced. Meanwhile, when the content of MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO is too large, the amount of alkaline elution from the glass increases, and the pH change of the aqueous-based medicament is likely to be induced.
MgO is a component that lowers the viscosity of the glass and enhances meltability and formability. The content of MgO is preferably 5% or less, 4.8% or less, 4% or less, 3.5% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, 1.5% or less, particularly 1% or less, and is preferably 0% or greater, 0.05% or greater, 0.1% or greater, particularly 0.3% or greater. When the content of MgO is too small, the viscosity of the glass increases, and the productivity and processability of the tube glass may be reduced. When the content of MgO is too large, the amount of alkaline elution from the glass increases, and the pH change of the aqueous-based medicament is likely to be induced.
CaO is a component that lowers the viscosity of the glass and enhances meltability and formability. The content of CaO is preferably 7% or less, 6.5% or less, 5% or less, 4.5% or less, 3.8% or less, 3.5% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, 1.8% or less, 1.5% or less, particularly 1% or less, and is preferably 0% or greater, 0.1%, 0.5% or greater, 0.7% or greater, particularly 1% or greater. When the content of CaO is too small, the viscosity of the glass increases, and the productivity and processability of the tube glass may be reduced. When the content of CaO is too large, the amount of alkaline elution from the glass increases, and the pH change of the aqueous-based medicament is likely to be induced.
SrO is a component that lowers the viscosity of the glass and enhances meltability and formability. The content of SrO is preferably 5% or less, 4.7% or less, 4% or less, 3.3% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, 1.6% or less, particularly 1% or less. When the content of SrO is too large, the amount of alkaline elution from the glass increases, and the pH change of the aqueous-based medicament is likely to be induced.
BaO is a component that lowers the viscosity of the glass and enhances meltability and formability. The content of BaO is preferably 5% or less, 4.7% or less, 4% or less, 3.3% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, 1.6% or less, particularly 1% or less, and is preferably 0% or greater, 0.05% or greater, 0.1% or greater, particularly 0.3% or greater. When the content of BaO is too small, the viscosity of the glass increases, and the productivity and processability of the tube glass may be reduced. When the content of BaO is too large, the amount of alkaline elution from the glass increases, and the pH change of the aqueous-based medicament is likely to be induced. In the case of an aqueous-based medicament containing a sulfate, the sulfate precipitates as barium sulfate, resulting in the formation of insoluble foreign matters.
ZnO is a component that reduces the viscosity of glass to improve meltability and moldability, but when the added amount of the component is too large, the devitrification resistance and the chemical durability may deteriorate. The content of ZnO is preferably 10% or less, 8% or less, 6% or less, less than 4.9%, 4.5% or less, 4% or less, 3% or less, 2.5% or less, particularly 2% or less, and is 0% or greater, 0.5% or greater, 1% or greater, particularly 1.5% or greater.
Fe2O3 is a component that is present as impurities, and is a component that enhances the coloring of the glass. The content of Fe2O3 is preferably 0.1% or less, more preferably 0.09% or less, particularly preferably 0.08% or less, and is preferably 0% or greater, more preferably 0.001% or greater, particularly preferably 0.003% or greater. When the content of Fe2O3 is too large, the coloring of the glass becomes too strong. The smaller the content of Fe2O3 is, the more the coloring can be suppressed, so this is preferred. However, for example, in order to reduce the content to a range of less than 0.003%, it is necessary to use an expensive high-purity raw material, leading to an increase in the batch cost.
SnO2 is a component that acts as a fining agent. The content of SnO2 is preferably 3% or less, 2% or less, more preferably 1% or less, particularly preferably 0.5% or less, and is preferably 0% or greater, 0.001% or greater, still more preferably 0.005% or greater, particularly preferably 0.01% or greater. When the content of SnO2 is too small, the amount of bubble residue in the tube glass increases, which may contribute to poor appearance. Meanwhile, when the content of SnO2 is too large, the glass is colored, which may contribute to poor transmittance.
SO3, Cl2, F2, Sb2O3 or the like can be used as a fining agent, in addition to SnO2. One kind of these components may be used alone, or multiple kinds thereof may be mixed and used. The content of each of the components is preferably 3% or less, 2% or less, 1.5% or less, 1% or less, 0.8% or less, 0.5% or less, 0.3% or less, particularly 0.1% or less, and is preferably 0.001% or greater, particularly 0.003% or greater. When the content of each of the components is too large, it may pose the increased risk of the corrosion in the facility and environmental contamination. When the content of each of the components is too small, the amount of bubble residue in the tube glass increases, which may contribute to poor appearance.
The molar ratio TiO2/(Li2O+Na2O+K2O+MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO) is preferably 0.3 or greater, 0.5 or greater, 0.7 or greater, 0.9 or greater, 1 or greater, particularly 1.1 or greater, and is preferably 5.5 or less, 3.5 or less, 3 or less, 2.5 or less, 2 or less, 1.5 or less, particularly 1.3 or less. This configuration achieves the effect of hydrolytic resistance improvement more efficiently.
The molar ratio K2O/ZrO2 is preferably 0.1 or greater, 0.3 or greater, 0.5 or greater, 0.7 or greater, 0.8 or greater, 0.85 or greater, or 0.9 or greater and 100 or less. This configuration achieves the effect of alkali resistance improvement more efficiently.
The molar ratio (Li2O+Na2O+K2O+MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO)/SiO2 is preferably 0.4 or less, 0.35 or less, 0.30 or less, 0.28 or less, 0.26 or less, 0.25 or less, particularly 0.23 or less, and is preferably 0 or greater, more than 0, 0.05 or greater, 0.1 or greater, 0.1 or greater, particularly 0.15 or greater. When the molar ratio (Li2O+Na2O+K2O+MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO)/SiO2 is large, the viscosity of the glass decreases, thereby making glass processing easier. However, the amount of alkaline elution increases and the pH of the aqueous-based medicament may be changed. Whereas, when the molar ratio (Li2O+Na2O+K2O+MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO)/SiO2 is small, the amount of alkaline elution decreases, but the viscosity of the glass increases, causing a decrease in processability.
Each of HfO2, SO3, Y2O3 and P2O5 as impurities may be contained up to 0.5%, and it is preferable that the content of each of the components is particularly from 0.001 to 0.1%.
In addition, Cr2O3, PbO, La2O3, Bi2O3, MoO3, WO3, Nb2O3, and PbO2 each may be added as impurities in an amount of 3% or less, 2% or less, 1% or less, less than 1%, particularly 0.5% or less.
As impurities, components such as H2, CO2, CO, H2O, He, Ne, Ar, and N2 each may be present up to 0.1%. Further, it is preferable that the mixed amount of noble metal elements (such as Pt, Rh, Au, and Ir) is 500 ppm or less, particularly 300 ppm or less.
The tube glass according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably has the following characteristics.
In the tube glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, the chemical resistance factor value, represented by {(the hydrochloric acid consumption H (mL/g) in the hydrolytic resistance test in accordance with ISO 720)×10+(the total cation mass QC of eluted components in an elution test on an acidic solution)×10+(the loss in mass ρ in an alkali resistance test in accordance with ISO 695)}, i.e., the sum of 10 times the consumption H, 10 times the mass QC, and the amount ρ, is preferably 98.5 or less, 90 or less, 80 or less, 70 or less, 60 or less, 50 or less, 45 or less, particularly 40 or less. When the chemical resistance factor value is too large, the glass tends to have poor chemical resistance.
The loss in mass ρ (mg/dm2) in an alkali resistance test in accordance with ISO 695 (199105-15) is preferably 140 or less, 100 or less, 75 or less, 60 or less, 45 or less, 35 or less, 30 or less, particularly 27 or less. When the loss in mass ρ is too large, the alkali resistance decreases. When the loss in mass ρ (mg/dm2) is 75 or less, this is classified as Class A1.
When the elution test is performed on an acidic solution, the total cation mass QC (mg/dm2) of eluted components is preferably 3 or less, 2.5 or less, 2 or less, 1.7 or less, 1.5 or less, particularly 1.3 or less.
The hydrochloric acid consumption H (mL/g) to neutralize an eluate prepared by elution of an alkali component, determined in accordance with ISO 720 (1985), is preferably 0.5 or less, 0.4 or less, 0.3 or less, 0.2 or less, particularly 0.1 or less. When the hydrochloric acid consumption H is too large, the hydrolytic resistance deteriorates. A hydrochloric acid consumption H of 0.1 or less corresponds to Class HGA1, and a hydrochloric acid consumption H of 0.85 or less corresponds to Class HGA2.
The liquidus temperature is preferably 1300° C. or lower, 1250° C. or lower, 1200° C. or lower, 1150° C. or lower, particularly 1100° C. or lower. When the liquidus temperature increases, the glass is likely to be devitrified during processing of the glass into the tube glass.
The thermal expansion coefficient is an important parameter indicating thermal shock resistance. The thermal expansion coefficient in a temperature range of 30 to 380° C. is preferably 85×10−7/° C. or less, particularly 45 to 80×10−7/° C. When the thermal expansion coefficient is too high, the thermal shock resistance is likely to decrease.
The temperature at 102.5 dPa·s is preferably 1650° C. or lower, 1600° C. or lower, 1590° C. or lower, 1580° C. or lower, particularly 1570° C. or lower. When the temperature at 102.5 dPa·s is too high, the glass is unlikely to be melted.
The temperature at 104.0 dPa·s is preferably 1350° C. or lower, 1300° C. or lower, 1290° C. or lower, 1280° C. or lower, 1270° C. or lower, particularly 1265° C. or lower. When the temperature at 104.0 dPa·s is too high, the glass not readily processed into the tube glass.
The average transmittance at an optical path length of 1 mm and a wavelength of 400 to 800 nm is preferably 60% or greater, 70% or greater, 75% or greater, particularly 85% or greater. When the average transmittance at an optical path length of 1 mm and a wavelength of 400 to 800 nm is too low, it is difficult to visually recognize the change in quality of the medicament.
Next, a method for manufacturing the glass tube according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The following description is an example using a Danner process.
First, glass raw materials are compounded in accordance with a desired glass composition and a glass batch is prepared. Next, the glass batch is continuously fed into a melting kiln at 1550 to 1700° C., melted, and fined to form molten glass. Then, the molten glass is wound around a rotating refractory while blowing the air from an end of the refractory, and the glass is drawn out from the end. The drawn tubular glass is cut into a predetermined length to form a glass tube. The glass tube thus formed is used to manufacture vials or ampules.
The primary packaging container for pharmaceutical preparations according to an embodiment of the present invention is a primary packaging container for pharmaceutical preparations which is formed by processing tube glass, and the tube glass is the tube glass described above.
As another aspect, the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a glass composition which is substantially free of B2O3 and Al2O3, in which a chemical resistance factor value, represented by {(the hydrochloric acid consumption H (mL/g) in the hydrolytic resistance test in accordance with ISO 720)×10+(the total cation mass QC of eluted components per unit surface area in an elution test on an acidic solution)×10+(the loss in mass ρ in an alkali resistance test in accordance with ISO 695)}, is 98.5 or less. As another aspect, the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a glass composition which: contains, in mol %, 60 to 88% of SiO2, 0.1 to 20% of K2O, 0 to 6.5% of CaO, 0.1 to 20% of TiO2, and 0.1 to 12% of ZrO2; has a molar ratio TiO2/(Li2O+Na2O+K2O+MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO) of 0.3 to 3.5, a molar ratio K2O/ZrO2 of 0.9 or greater; and is substantially free of B2O3 and Al2O3. The technical features of the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention are similar to the technical features of the tube glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, so the detailed description is omitted herein.
As another aspect, the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a glass composition which contains 1% or less of B2O3 and 1% or less of Al2O3, in which a chemical resistance factor value, represented by {(the hydrochloric acid consumption H (mL/g) in the hydrolytic resistance test in accordance with ISO 720)×10+(the total cation mass QC of eluted components per unit surface area in an elution test on an acidic solution)×10+(the loss in mass ρ in an alkali resistance test in accordance with ISO 695)}, is 98.5 or less. Further, as another aspect, the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a glass composition which: contains, in mol %, 66% or greater and less than 84% of SiO2, 1% or less of B2O3, 1% or less of Al2O3, 10% or less of MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO, and 8.5% or less of ZrO2; and has a molar ratio (Li2O+Na2O+K2O+MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO)/SiO2 of 0.4 or less. The technical features of the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention are similar to the technical features of the tube glass according to an embodiment of the present invention, so the detailed description is omitted herein.
The present invention will be described below based on Examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples, and the following examples are merely illustrative.
Tables 1 to 11 shows Examples (Sample Nos. 1 to 14, 16 to 28, and 30 to 107) and Comparative Examples (Sample Nos. 15 and 29) of the present invention. In each of the tables, the numerical values in parentheses are predicted values obtained by factor calculation of each component.
Various glass raw materials (500 g of glass) were compounded and mixed in accordance with each glass composition, thus a batch of raw materials was prepared. The batch of raw materials was placed in a 300-cc platinum crucible, and melted in an electric furnace heated to 1600° C. The melting time was 20 hours, and the molten glass was stirred 1 hour after placing the whole batch of raw materials in the crucible, and stirred 4 hours before pouring the batch. After completion of the second stirring, the temperature of the electric furnace was raised to 1650° C., and fining was conducted. Thereafter, the molten glass was poured onto a carbon plate, and the resultant glass was formed into a sheet shape having a thickness of 5 mm while the glass was rapidly cooled using a metal roller or was formed into an ingot shape having a thickness of 15 mm. Then, samples were produced.
The hydrochloric acid consumption of each of the samples was measured as follows. The surfaces of the samples were carefully wiped with ethanol, and the samples were ground with an alumina pestle in a mortar, and then classified using three stainless steel sieves with openings of 710 μm, 425 μm, and 300 μm. The glass powder remaining on the 300 μm sieve was collected, and the glass remaining on the 710 μm and 425 μm sieves was ground again. The same operation was repeated until the amount of the glass powder on the 300 μm sieve reached 10 g or greater. The glass powder remaining on the 300 μm sieve was transferred to a beaker, 30 mL of acetone was poured, and ultrasonic cleaning was performed for 1 minute. The supernatant liquid was discarded and the same operation was repeated five times. Thereafter, an operation of pouring 30 mL of acetone into a beaker and gently shaking the beaker with a hand to discard only the supernatant liquid was repeated three times. The mouth of the beaker was covered with an aluminum foil, a plurality of holes was made in the foil, and then the beaker was dried in an oven at 120° C. for 20 minutes. After that, the glass powder was taken out and cooled in a desiccator for 30 minutes. The resulting glass powder was weighed to 10 g±0.0005 g using an electronic balance and placed in a 250 mL quartz flask, and then 50 mL extra pure water was added thereto. A quartz flask filled with only 50 mL of extra pure water was also prepared as a blank. The mouth of the quartz flask was covered with a quartz container, the quartz flask was placed in an autoclave and held at 100° C. for 10 minutes, and then heat treatment was performed at 121° C. for 30 minutes. At this time, the temperature was raised from 100° C. to 121° C. at 1° C./min, and cooled from 121° C. to 100° C. at 0.5° C./min. The quartz flask was cooled down to 95° C. and taken out. The flask was allowed to stand on a tray containing extra pure water, and cooled for 30 minutes. After cooling, the eluate in the quartz flask was transferred to a conical beaker. 15 mL of extra pure water collected with a transfer pipette was poured into the flask, the flask was gently shaken, and only the supernatant liquid was poured into the conical beaker. The same operation was repeated twice. The blank was also subjected to the same operation to form an eluate. 0.05 mL of a methyl red solution was added dropwise to the eluate. 0.02 mol/L of hydrochloric acid was added dropwise to the eluate of the sample, and the hydrochloric acid consumption when the color of the eluate became the same as that of the blank was recorded. Then, the hydrochloric acid consumption H (mL/g) per 1 g of glass was calculated.
The detailed experimental procedure of the acid resistance test is as follows. First, a sample having a total surface area of 25 to 30 cm2 and having all glass surfaces mirror-polished was prepared. As pretreatment, the sample was immersed in a solution prepared by mixing hydrofluoric acid (40 mass %) and hydrochloric acid (2 mol/L) at a volume ratio of 1:9, and stirred with a magnetic stirrer for 10 minutes. The sample was then taken out and the length of the sample was measured. Thereafter, ultrasonic cleaning in extra pure water for 1 minute was performed three times, and ultrasonic cleaning in ethanol for 1 minute was performed two times. The sample was then dried in an oven at 110° C. for 1 hour and cooled in a desiccator for 30 minutes. Subsequently, 65 mL of 6 mol/L hydrochloric acid was put in a 120 mL PTFE airtight container, the PTFE container was closed with a lid and placed in an oven set at 120° C., and preheated for 90 minutes. Thereafter, the Teflon container containing hydrochloric acid was taken out, the lid was removed, and the sample was immersed in the hydrochloric acid solution at high temperature. Then, the lid was closed, and the container was returned to the oven again. The sample was held at 120±2° C. for 6 hours. After 6 hours, the PTFE container was taken out from the oven, the lid was quickly removed, and the sample was taken out using tweezers made of resin. Then, the lid was closed, and the container was cooled to room temperature. The mass B (g) of the resulting hydrochloric acid was measured, and the concentration analysis values Cn (μg/mL) in respective components in the eluate was analyzed by ICP emission spectrometry. The total cation mass QC (mg/dm2) of eluted components per unit area was calculated based on the total surface area Acm2 of the sample according to the following Equation 1. Further, the total oxide mass QO (mg/dm2) of eluted components per unit area was calculated by the following Equation 2, under the assumption that the eluted components are oxides.
Total cation mass of eluted components per unit area QC=B/10/A/d×ΣCn, [Equation 1]
where A refers to a total surface area (cm2) of the sample, B refers to a hydrochloric acid mass (g) resulted from the test, Cn refers to concentration analysis values (μg/mL) of respective components in the solution, ΣCn refers to the sum of the concentration analysis values (μg/mL) of respective components in the solution, d refers to a hydrochloric acid density (g/cm3) resulted from the test, × refers to multiplication, and/refers to division.
Total oxide mass of eluted components per unit area QO=B/10/A/d×Σ{Cn×En/Fn/Mn}, [Equation 2]
A refers to a total surface area (cm2) of the sample, B refers to a hydrochloric acid mass (g) resulted from the test, Cn refers to concentration analysis values (μg/mL) of respective components in the solution, d refers to a hydrochloric acid density (g/cm3) resulted from the test, En refers to an oxide formula weight of cations in the eluted components (in the case of Si, formula weight of SiO2), Fn represents the eluted components as oxides and refers to a mol ratio of cation contents in the eluted components, when a substance amount of an oxide is 1 mol, (e.g., in the case of Si, SiO2: 1, in the case of K, K2O: 2), Mn refers to an atomic weight of cations in the eluted components, Σ{Cn×En/Fn/Mn} refers to addition of a value resulted from multiplication of Cn by En, and division by Fn and by Mn for each component, × refers to multiplication, and / refers to division.
The alkali resistance was evaluated by a method in accordance with ISO 695 (1991). The detailed test procedure is as follows. First, a sample having a total surface area of 15 cm2 and having all glass surfaces mirror-polished was prepared. As pretreatment, the sample was immersed in a solution produced by mixing hydrofluoric acid (40 mass %) and hydrochloric acid (2 mol/L) at a volume ratio of 1:9, and stirred with a magnetic stirrer for 10 minutes. The sample was then taken out and the length of the sample was measured. Thereafter, ultrasonic cleaning in extra pure water for 1 minute was performed three times, and ultrasonic cleaning in ethanol for 1 minute was performed two times. The sample was then dried in an oven at 110° C. for 1 hour and cooled in a desiccator for 30 minutes. The mass m1 of the sample thus produced was measured up to an accuracy of ±0.1 mg and recorded. Subsequently, 800 mL of a solution prepared by mixing 1 mol/L of sodium hydroxide solution and 0.5 mol/L of sodium carbonate solution at a volume ratio of 1:1 was placed in a stainless steel container, and heated to boiling using an electric heater. The sample hung with a platinum wire was put in the container and held for 3 hours. To prevent a decrease in fluid volume during the test, the opening of a lid of the container was plugged up with a gasket and a cooling tube. Thereafter, the sample was taken out and immersed three times in a beaker containing 500 mL of 1 mol/L hydrochloric acid. Then, ultrasonic cleaning in extra pure water for 1 minute was performed three times, and ultrasonic cleaning in ethanol for 1 minute was performed two times. Further, the washed sample was dried in an oven at 110° C. for 1 hour and cooled in a desiccator for 30 minutes. The mass m2 of the sample thus treated was measured up to an accuracy of ±0.1 mg and recorded. Finally, the loss in mass ρ (mg/dm2) per unit area was calculated based on the masses m1 (mg) and m2 (mg) of the sample before and after placing it into the boiling solution as well as the total surface area A (cm2) of the sample according to Equation 3.
loss in mass ρ per unit area=100×(m1−m2)/A [Equation 3]
The chemical resistance factor value was calculated by the following Equation 4 using the hydrochloric acid consumption H based on hydrolytic resistance in accordance with ISO 720, the total cation mass QC (mg/dm2) of eluted components per unit surface area in an elution test on an acidic solution, and the loss in mass ρ per unit area in an alkali resistance test in accordance with ISO 695. In addition, as the acid resistance score in calculating the chemical resistance factor value, QC (mg/dm2) was used.
Chemical resistance factor value=H×10+QC×10+ρ [Equation 4]
The measurement of the liquidus temperature is as follows. A platinum boat of about 120×20×10 mm was filled with a ground sample and was put into an electric furnace having a linear temperature gradient for 24 hours. Thereafter, a crystal precipitation site was identified by microscope observation, a temperature corresponding to the crystal precipitation site was calculated from a temperature gradient graph of the electric furnace, and this temperature was set as the liquidus temperature.
A sample processed into a size of 20 mm×5 mmφ was used, and the linear thermal expansion coefficient was evaluated based on the average linear thermal expansion coefficient measured in the temperature range shown in each table. The measurement was performed using a Dilatometer, manufactured by NETZSCH.
The strain point, annealing point, and softening point were measured by a fiber elongation method.
The viscosity in high temperature was measured by a platinum sphere pull up method. A viscosity curve of the glass was determined from the viscosity in high temperature and the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann equation, and temperatures corresponding to 102.5 dPa·s, 103.0 dPa·s, and 104.0 dPa·s were determined from this viscosity curve.
Tube glasses having a thickness of 1 mm were processed into a strip shape, and the transmittance at 400 to 800 nm was measured using a spectrophotometer. The used measuring device was a spectrophotometer V-670 (equipped with an integrating sphere), manufactured by JASCO Corporation.
As can be seen from Tables 1 to 11, in Samples 1 to 14, 16 to 28, and 30 to 107, the glass composition was substantially free of B2O3 and Al2O3, and the chemical resistance factor value was small. Meanwhile, Sample Nos. 15 and 29 did not contain ZrO2 in the glass composition, and thus had low alkali resistance.
The
The tube glass and the alkali silicate glass of the present invention can be preferably used in primary packaging containers for pharmaceutical preparations, such as ampules, vials, prefilled syringes, and cartridges. Further, the tube glass and the alkali silicate glass can be used as a laboratory instrument such as a beaker or a flask. Furthermore, the tube glass and the alkali silicate glass can be used as an inner wall material of a corrosion-resistant piping in a chemical plant requiring corrosion resistance. Additionally, the alkali silicate glass according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used for various applications requiring alkali resistance besides the above applications.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-169058 | Oct 2020 | JP | national |
| 2020-217407 | Dec 2020 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2021/036097 | 9/30/2021 | WO |
