Is Glass More Scratchable Than Plastic According to the Mohs Hardness Scale?

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SUMMARY

Glass is generally more scratch-resistant than normal plastics according to the Mohs Hardness Scale, which categorizes materials based on their scratch resistance. However, practical observations indicate that certain types of glass can sustain minor scratches from softer materials like plastic. The discussion highlights the differences between various glass formulations, such as Flint and Crown glass, which can affect their durability. Additionally, polycarbonate lenses are recommended for their shatter resistance, despite being more prone to scratches.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Mohs Hardness Scale
  • Knowledge of different glass types, specifically Flint and Crown glass
  • Familiarity with material properties of plastics and polycarbonate
  • Basic concepts of scratch resistance in materials
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and applications of Flint and Crown glass
  • Explore the advantages and disadvantages of polycarbonate lenses
  • Study the Mohs Hardness Scale in detail
  • Investigate methods to enhance scratch resistance in glass and plastics
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for material scientists, opticians, and anyone involved in product design or selection, particularly in contexts where scratch resistance is a critical factor.

darknumbers
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Glass tables can be easily found in many dining areas. But people always complain that they are easily scratchable. Here my friend has tried to use normal plastic (which has very low hardness) to scratch the glass top, what I can observe is it actually give small damages to the surface...

If according to Mohs Hardness Scale (Or some other theoretical tables), glass has higher hardness than normal plastics. But what are the reason behind this?

I'm not an expert nor student in material science. Any explanation will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much!
 
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You might look into the differences between Flint and Crown glasses. All glass is not
created equal... There are lots of different formulations. Good luck.

As an optician, I advised parents of young or very active children to opt for polycarbonate lenses instead of conventional plastic or glass, because the poly is very shatter-resistant. It scratches very easily, but is as tough as can be.
 

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