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Has anyone written a better explainer about the difference? Corning's entry isn't that helpful. Particularly interested in the safety issues and practicality in terms of kitchen use.

Also, I'm told that IKEA's "MIXTUR" line of glassware is more Pyrex-like than actual Pyrex. Is that true?

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Pyrex was the brand for Corning's borosilicate glass products, which is an almost all-around superior substitute for regular soda-lime glass. Better acid resistance, lower thermal expansion, higher softening/melting temperature, etc.

Some marketing geniuses somewhere concluded that consumers wouldn't notice, and created the line of products that carry the confusing "pyrex" branding but aren't borosilicate based but just thicker or something.

And now they have to have this page to explain the differences.

I thought the official "explanation" was that soda lime glass is superior because it is mechanically stronger than borosilicate glass, and most glassware breakage is due to impact, not temperature swings. But I'm not sure I believe it.

So PYREX denotes the Corning brand, and pyrex the imitation of the original (that explodes in ovens)?

It’s borosilicate which is the original Pyrex.