All About Glass: Properties and History

• Glass is an amorphous solid primarily made from silica (SiO2).
• Glass is characterized by its transparency, brittleness, and chemical resistance.
• Glass belongs to the ceramics family due to its brittleness and certain ceramic-like functions.

Historical Background

• Glass was accidentally discovered by Phoenician or Roman sailors cooking on the beach, using natron (a sodium carbonate and bicarbonate mixture).
• The heat from the fire melted sand and natron, creating a glass-like substance.
• Archaeological findings suggest the first glass vessel was made in Mesopotamia and Egypt.
• Glass manufacturing developed in the Roman Empire, with the first four centuries of the Christian Era known as the First Golden Age of Glass.
• Egypt, Syria, and other countries along the Mediterranean Sea's eastern shore were glassmaking centers during that time.
• Glassmaking declined after the fall of the Roman Empire but was revived in Murano, near Venice, marking the Second Golden Age of Glass, during which soda-lime glass (crystal) was developed.
• Glass manufacturing continued to develop through the industrial revolution and 20th-century advancements, resulting in new glass types and refined production methods.

Geographical Locations

• Glass production originated in Egypt and Mesopotamia, spreading to the Mediterranean region.
• Key countries where glass production became prevalent include China, Europe, the United States, and India.

Leading Glass and Glassware Exporting Countries in 2023 (Based on Value)

• China: 25.6 billion USD
• Germany: 8.4 billion USD
• United States: 6.2 billion USD
• Italy: 3.3 billion USD
• France: 3.7 billion USD
• Poland: 3 billion USD
• Belgium: 2.7 billion USD
• Japan: 2.6 billion USD
• Czechia: 2.42 billion USD
• Mexico: 2.38 billion USD
• Hong Kong: 1.97 billion USD
• South Korea: 1.9 billion USD
• Spain: 1.87 billion USD
• Netherlands: 1.65 billion USD
• Turkey: 1.64 billion USD

Physical and Mechanical Properties

• Properties vary based on composition but include general qualities such as density, sound transmission, flexibility, and scratch resistance.
• Density: Glass is denser than most plastics.
• Sound Transmission: Glass can contribute to soundproofing, especially when double glazed or insulated.
• Flexibility and Scratch Resistance: Glass can be customized and treated to enhance scratch resistance.
• Transparency: Glass is transparent to visible light and blocks the majority of UV-B rays but only 25% of UV-A rays.
• Durability and Strength: Glass is hard and brittle.
• Electrical Resistance: Glass has high electrical resistance, serving as an effective electrical insulator.
• Chemical Resistance: Resistant to acids, solvents, chemicals, and alkaline solutions.

Aesthetic Properties

General

• Glass is a versatile material for interior decor that can fit into a wide array of designs form traditional to contemporary, and improve aesthetic
• Color is essential for design on glass to affect the space.
• Tinted glass allows interior designing to be harmonious

Transparent

• common clarity gives wide feeling and brightens the room
• often used in modern designs as it allows lighting an elegant appearance

Black Glass

• Enhances elegance and sophistication in minimalist and industrial designs.
• Decreases light reflections, elegant for coffee tables or dark doors.

Tinted Glass

• Rises depth and warmth
• Can be found in luxury houses and churches

Stained Glass (Blue/Orange)

• Creates soothing and refreshing atmospheres, especially connecting with nature, and is common in coastal and tropical styles.
• It helps reduce sunlight glare and is used in beach villas with blue glass windows or green accents.

TermsGold (Bronze-Tinted Glass)

• Reflects luxury and charm with origins in classic styles, adding elegance.
• It mitigates light intensity, providing warmth to the space.

Frosted Glass:

• Provides privacy while maintaining sunlight.
• It is easy to clean and abundant in Scandinavian and industrial styles which combines functionality and simplicity
• Can be used in cabins, bathrooms or office partitions

Etched Glass

• Comes with Moroccan and Islamic style.
• used in windows, mosques and even in chandeliers

Reflective Glass

• Reflects light and heat.
• It maintains lighting

Curved Glass

• Allows design with the space of movement and flow.

Common Applications of Glass in Interior Design

• Walls and Partitions: split areas without pressiveness (glass walls between kitchen and apartments)
• Doors and Windows: brings natural light (sliding glass doors to a garden)
• Floors and Staircases: daring modern appearance (museums or offices)
• Furniture and Decor: light and contemporary (dining tables or shelves)
• Ceilings and Lighting: unique charm for interiors (skylights or lights)

Styles using Glass in Interiors

• Scandinavian: Utilizes big windows.
• Contemporary: Combines big windows and sliding doors.
• Retro: Incorporates tinted glass in the pendant lights and vases

Manufacturing of Glass (4 Phases)

• Phase 1: Raw materials
• Phase 2: Melting in furnace.
• Phase 3: Forming
• Phase 4: Finishing,

Process

• Raw materials, melt, form, anneal, inspection and testing, secondary process, packing and shipping

Raw materials

• glass former, flux modifiers
• The types in oxide glass are silica, boric oxide, phosphoric oxide, sand, soda and limestone
• The modifiers are boron, sodium, magnesium, and titanium
• Fining agents are arsenic antimony and antimony oxide

Glass Forming

• Can be categorized: flat glass, glass fibers, and glass tubing
• Flat glass: flat , sheet and plate, is made by float and rolled processes
• Glass fibers: comes in continuous and short(glass wool)
• Glass tubing: molten flows to a rotational holo-cone.

Types and application of glass

• Soda-lime glass : Water glass with limestone
• Fused silica glass : Simple type mainly of silica
• Lead glass : Crestal or lead crestal
• Borosilicate glass : Trade name of pyrex in the form of ware
• Annealed glass : The basic product that tends to break shards
• Toughend/ tempered glass: Fractures can used on glassed doors that are safe
• Laminated glass: Layered sheet with PVB and CIP produced in 2 methods

Chromatic Glass can control transparency and light

• Photochromatic: Able to sense light
• Electrochromatic: The transparency can be controlled
• Thermochromic: Can sense temperature and heat
• Tined glass is colored by adding glass
• Patterned: Decorative used in different patter
• Blocks as glass bricks
• Wire glass with a wire mesh to hold it.
• Glass wool, Insulating material

What are the environmental impacts of glass?

• Glass made from silica, which is a environmental substance
• Mining silica sand results in the damage of land and biodiversity

Recyclability

• Enhances durability and compress the water resistance

Alternatives to Glass

• Biodegrable Polymers : Packaging, lightweight glazing construction
• Acrylic: Windows, Skylights, greenhouses, display cases
• Ceramic Materials: Oven windows, fire doors and structural components
• Recycled glass: Countertops, flooring, and decorative panels

Glass Factories in Saudi Arabia

• Obeikan
• Barrak Glass Company
• Euroglass Company

Real-World Applications of Glass

• Eyeglasses, microscopes, automobiles, housing, furniture, electronics.

Case Studies

Maraya

• The Guiness of world records which says it is the biggest mirrors
• Designed by Florian Boje
• Ultra mirror to withstand weather conditions with 9,740 panels

20 Fenchurch street

• May be implemented with creative problems
• It reflects sunlights with mirrors to other buildings below
• the temperature reaches 91 to 117 degrees celsius
• Has a garden of consist lights

Future Trends

• Glass improve with the aid of light when electrical current is flowing (electrochromic with polymer (PDLC)

Application of Smart Glass:

• Productivity is achieved by the use of variable glass
• Essential to use in the hospital to control efficiency of the medical field

Benefits of Self-Cleaning Glass

• Keeps facades clean without maintenance; uses a photochemical reaction to break organic filth and a hydrophilic covering to wash away dirt

Disadvantages of Self-Cleaning Glass

• May not work well if the roof slope is less than 10 degrees; may need manual cleaning in dry climate
• Is expected to develop due to energy and engineering