A Re-evaluation of the Physiochemistry of Glass on the Basis of Recent Developments and its Relevance to the Glass Industry

Abstract

The classical image of glass is that of a rigid, transparent brittle material characterized by a non-crystalline microstructure. This 19^th and 20^th century image however is mostly based on the contrast between soda lime glass and metals. It does not really make sense in the 21^th century where more modern testing methods have increased our understanding of the physiochemistry of glass. Based on recent results and the development of computational molecular dynamic software modelling a new approach to the physiochemistry of glass is outlined. The consequences this view has on glass properties and processing are explained.