What Is an Inorganic Glass?

  • Thread starter Thread starter selseg
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Glass
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the definition of inorganic glass, its solidification process, and references for further information. Participants explore the characteristics of inorganic glasses compared to organic glasses and discuss various types of inorganic glasses.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants seek clarification on what constitutes inorganic glass and its solidification process.
  • One participant argues that all glass is inherently inorganic, as 'organic' implies a biological origin from hydrocarbons.
  • Another participant suggests that inorganic glass refers to traditional silicate glasses, distinguishing them from organic glasses, which are glasslike polymers.
  • A claim is made that inorganic glasses can be considered alloys of inorganic oxides, with a description of the rapid cooling process leading to the formation of glass from a supercooled liquid state.
  • It is noted that glasses can also be made from nonsilicate inorganic compounds, with examples such as calcium nitrate-potassium nitrate and chalcogenide glasses mentioned.
  • Some participants refer to nonsilicate glasses by their specific names rather than categorizing them as "inorganic glass."

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definition of inorganic glass and whether all glass can be classified as inorganic. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives on the topic.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the definitions provided, and the discussion does not clarify the specific criteria that differentiate inorganic from organic glasses. The solidification process and the classification of nonsilicate glasses also remain partially explored.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying materials science, particularly in the fields of glass science and solidification processes, as well as individuals seeking to understand the distinctions between different types of glass materials.

selseg
Messages
32
Reaction score
0
I would want to know what an inorganic glass is an about its solidification process or references to where i could find information about it.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
I'm afraid that I can't help you. To me, 'organic' indicates that it is derived from a hydrocarbon compound which originated in a biological process. Thus all glass is 'inorganic'.
 
selseg said:
I would want to know what an inorganic glass is an about its solidification process or references to where i could find information about it.
Use Google and follow relevant links. Most of what we consider to be glasses are inorganic.
 
I guess an inorganic glass is a glass that does not fall under the much more recently invented class of materials known as organic glasses, which are essentially glasslike polymers. So all traditional silicate glasses are inorganic glasses.
 
Inorganic glass are considered as alloys with inorganic oxides as compounds.

When a meterial is rapidly cooled(the cooling rate is higher than a critical value), the material will not form to solid but liquid. The state after this rapid cooling is called supercooled liquid, because it has passed through the freezing range. And it transforms to glass.

checking the physical metallurgy may be helpful^^
 
It is possible to make glasses from nonsilicate inorganic compounds. One well-known system is calcium nitrate-potassium nitrate. Also, there is a family of chalcogenide glasses. In my experience people refer to nonsilicate glasses by their generic name, eg nitrate glass, alumina glass, chalcogenide glass rather than "inorganic glass"
 

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K