Glass is a transparent, amorphous material that is hard yet brittle, and in construction it stands out for its high light transmission, chemical stability and electrical insulation. This combination of properties makes glass indispensable for windows, façades and countless other applications.
Application
The physical properties of glass determine how and where it is used. Glass is amorphous: its molecules have no regular crystal structure, so it softens gradually when heated rather than melting at a sharp melting point. The material is hard and scratch-resistant, but also brittle: it barely deforms and breaks suddenly without warning.
Glass has good compressive strength but low tensile strength. Loads that cause bending or tension are therefore more critical than compressive forces, and fractures often start from small surface defects.
Characteristics
Chemically, glass is virtually inert: it resists most acids, alkalis and weathering, which makes it durable in the façade. Prolonged moisture can, however, lead to glass corrosion.
An important practical point is sensitivity to thermal shock. Glass expands when heated; large temperature differences within a single pane can cause stress fractures. Toughened glass improves resistance to this. Glass is also electrically insulating and has a high light transmission, letting light through while keeping out wind and weather.
Related terms
- glass
- building glass
- double glazing
- glass corrosion
- mirror glass
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