Glass

Glass

  1. It is a mixture of two or more types of metallic silicates but the main component is silicon(IV) dioxide.
  2. Glass has the following properties:
    1. Transparent and not porous
    2. Inactive chemically
    3. Can be cleaned easily
    4. Good insulators of heat and electricity
    5. Hard but brittle
    6. Can withstand compression but not pressure

Soda lime glass

Produced by heating a mixture of silicon dioxide (sand) with calcium carbonate (lime) and sodium carbonate.

Composition: SiO2 – 70%, Na2O – 15%, CaO – 10%, Others – 4%

Properties:

  1. Low melting point (700°C)
  2. Moldable into shapes
  3. Cheap
  4. Breakable
  5. Can’t withstand high heat

Uses: Glass containers, Glass panes, Mirrors, Lamps and bulbs, Plates and bowls Bottles

Lead glass (crystal)

Produced by heating a mixture of silicon dioxide (sand) with lead oxide and potash.

Composition: SiO2 – 70%, Na2O – 20%, PbO – 10%

Properties:

  1. High density and refractive index
  2. Glittering surface
  3. Soft
  4. Low melting point (600°C)

Uses: Containers for drinks and fruit, Decorative glass and lamps, Crystal glassware, Lenses for spectacles

Borosilicate glass (Pyrex)

Produced by adding boron oxide (B2O3) into soda-lime glass.

Composition: SiO2 – 80%, B2O3 – 13%, Na2O – 4%, AI203 – 2%

Properties:

  1. Resistant to high heat and chemical reaction
  2. Does not break easily
  3. Allows infra-red rays but not ultra-violet rays

Uses: Glass apparatus in laboratories, Cooking utensils

Fused silica glass

Produced by heating Silicon Tetra Chloride at high temperature with the presence of oxygen.

Composition: SiO2 – 99%, Other – 1%

Properties:

  1. High melting point (1700°C)
  2. Expensive
  3. Allows ultraviolet light to pass through
  4. Difficult to melt or mould into shape

Uses: Scientific apparatus like lenses on, spectrometer, Optical lenses, Laboratory apparatus

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