What Is Glass?
Glass is a substance composed primarily of silicon (element symbol: Si) and oxygen (element symbol: O).
The glass crystal is shaped like a tetrapod. This is called the tetrahedral structure, which consists of one silicon (Si) at the center and four oxygen (O) around it. Numerous such structures are linked together to form a substance made of silicon and oxygen.
Glass crystal is formed when these materials are linked vertically, horizontally, and laterally.
Uses of Glass
If you look around you, you will notice that glass is used in all kinds of places. In our daily lives, it would be rare to encounter a location in which we do not have glass products in our field of vision.
The primary application of glass is in window glass, which is also used in automobiles and trains. Other common uses include interior products, tableware, smartphone screens, and containers for liquids.
In this way, we live our lives benefiting from all kinds of glass products.
Characteristics of Glass
One of the reasons why glass has become so widely used is because of its manufacturing characteristics. The following are some of the characteristics of glass production:
- Mass Production
Glass is easily obtained in large quantities of high quality by simply melting and cooling the raw materials to obtain a uniform crystalline structure. Refining is easy and materials are readily available, making it suitable for mass production. - Trace Element Melting
All kinds of trace elements can be contained in the glass structure. This makes it possible to produce tempered glass and a wide range of other products. - Workability After Molding
Glass can be altered after molding, such as by grinding, polishing, and crystallization. For example, after refining, glass can be easily shaved to fit the shape of a window frame, making it easy to handle. - Deformability
After being formed, glass is permanently deformable within the range of normal temperatures. Since its properties do not change at all with changes in temperature within the range of our daily lives, glass can be used for windows exposed to strong direct sunlight without any problems. On the other hand, it is also susceptible to breakage. However, with the advent of tempered glass, many products are now being sold that can withstand a certain degree of impact.