Glass and Ceramics
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IntroductionThe raw materials for making glass and ceramic are obtained from the Earth’s crust.The main component of both items is silica/silicon dioxide, .[pic 1]They both have the same properties: [pic 2]Hard but brittleInert to chemical reactionsInsulators of electricityPoor conductor of heat[pic 3]Withstand compression but not tensionCan be easily cleanedThe differences between them:GlassCeramicTransparentOpaqueSoftens when heatedHigh melting point, hence retains shape when heatedImpermeableUsually porous except when glazedThe uses of glass:Property UsesExamplesInertHousehold materialsLamp, bottles, glasses, plates, bowls and kitchen waresTransparentBuilding materialsMirrors and window glassIndustrial materialsBulbs, glass tubes for radios, radars and televisionsInert and easily cleaned Scientific apparatusLens, burettes, beakers, test tubes, conical flask, glass tubes and prims[pic 4]The uses of ceramics:Properties UsesExamplesHard and strongBuilding materialsBricks, tiles and cementLong lasting and non-corrosiveMaterials for decorative itemsPlates, bowls, cooking utensils, porcelain and vasesElectrical insulatorsTo make electrical insulating partsInsulators in toaster and irons, spark plugs in car enginesInert and hardIn surgical and dental apparatusArtificial hands, legs and teethSemiconductor type of ceramicsAs microchipsTo make microchips in computer, radios and televisions[pic 5]
Glass[pic 6]Glass is a mixture of two or more types of metallic silicates but the main component is silicon(IV) dioxide.Due to the low cost involved to produce glass, it is used in industry to make bottles, cooking utensils, plates and bowls, laboratory apparatus (such as conical flask, beakers and test tubes), window panes, bulbs and others.Different types of glass can be obtained depending on the composition of substances in it.Fused glass in the simplest type of glassColoured glass is produced by adding traces of transition metal oxides to it.Types of GlassesFused glass[pic 7]PropertiesChemical compositionExamples Very high softening point (1700˚C), hence highly heat-resistantTransparent to ultraviolet and infrared lightDifficult to be made into different shapesDoes not crack when temperature changesVery resistant to chemical reactions(99%)[pic 8](1%)[pic 9]Telescope mirrors, lenses, optical fibres and laboratory glass waresSoda-lime glass[pic 10]PropertiesChemical compositionExamples Low softening point (700˚C), hence does not withstand heatingBreak easilyCracks easily with sudden temperature changesLess resistant to chemical reactionsEasy to make into different shapes(70%)[pic 11](1%)[pic 12](10%)[pic 13](5%)[pic 14]Bottles, window-panes, light bulbs, mirrors, flat glass, glass-plates and bowls.